Pre-match review
Wolves struggled to start the 2024/25 season with just 15 points from 23 games, but things changed dramatically in the final months of the season when Vitor Pereira took charge, going from a near-unknown name to a “hero” at Molineux.
Ten of Wolves' 12 Premier League wins last season came in 22 games under Pereira's guidance. As well as making his mark on the pitch, the 57-year-old Portuguese tactician has also won points with fans by regularly visiting local pubs and socialising after matches.
However, Wolves' form this summer has not been particularly impressive, failing to win any of their five friendlies (D1 L4), most recently a 1-0 home defeat to Celta Vigo. The team is still trying to adapt to the loss of two of last season's mainstays: top scorer Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri, who joined rivals Man City.
New signings such as Club World Cup star Jhon Arias, Fer Lopez and David Moller Wolfe have arrived at Molineux, while coach Pereira is still hoping for three more new contracts to help the team avoid relegation.
Meanwhile, Man City have ended a turbulent 2024/25 season, when injuries and the decline of many key players caused them to only finish 3rd in the Premier League and for the first time in 8 years, they were empty-handed in all competitions.
This summer, they were also eliminated early in the last 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. However, that defeat gave Pep Guardiola and his players four weeks of rest before reuniting at the end of July.
Unlike many other teams, Man City prioritized rest and recovery over playing many friendly matches. They only played 2 matches, winning 1-0 (behind the scenes) against Preston North End and beating Palermo 3-0 in Sicily last weekend.
Guardiola enters his 10th season in England with a number of changes. Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish have all left the club. Meanwhile, new signings such as Tijjani Reijnders (scoring twice against Palermo), Rayan Cherki and goalkeeper James Trafford promise to bring a breath of fresh air.
The 2025/26 season marks the ninth consecutive year that Man City have played their opening game away from home, and they have won seven of their previous eight (losing one), scoring 19 goals and conceding just two. The team will be confident of a positive start as they look to challenge for a seventh Premier League title in nine years.
Force information
Wolves are without Leon Chiwone, Yerson Mosquera, and Fabio Silva, who are all out injured.
On Man City's side, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Kalvin Phillips and Mateo Kovacic are also in a similar situation.
Form, head-to-head history
In the last eight consecutive Premier League seasons, Wolves have won just one of their 20 games in August (D9 L10) and have lost their opening game in each of the last four seasons. They have also lost nine of their last 10 meetings with Man City since their two consecutive victories in 2019.
The 2025/26 season marks the ninth consecutive year that Man City have played their opening game away from home, and they have won seven of their previous eight (losing one), scoring 19 goals and conceding just two. The team are confident of a positive start as they look to challenge for a seventh Premier League title in nine years.
Expected lineup
Wolves (3-4-2-1): Sa; Doherty, Agbadou, Toti; Hoever, J. Gomes, Andre, Wolfe; Lopez, Arias; Larsen
Man City (4-3-3): Ederson; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Gundogan, Reijnders; Foden, Haaland, Marmoush
Score prediction: Wolves 1-2 Man City
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Source: https://tienphong.vn/nhan-dinh-wolves-vs-man-city-23h30-ngay-168-khoi-dau-cho-tham-vong-moi-post1769782.tpo
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