Wolves vs Man City Prediction: Pep Guardiola Shows His Talent

After failing to win a major trophy for the first time since 2017, Pep and his players want to forget last season as quickly as possible.

New director of football Hugo Viana has been working hard to refresh the squad. In addition to Ait-Nouri, Man City have signed Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and James Trafford, while still being linked with Donnarumma and Rodrygo.

Guardiola MEN — Pep Guardiola is rebuilding the Citizens empire - Photo: MEN

Citizens fans are waiting for Pep Guardiola's magic hand to create a new winning machine, with quality recruits.

Due to their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer, Man City players were given priority to rest and recover. They only played two light friendlies before entering the Premier League campaign (winning 1-0 against Preston and 3-0 against Palermo).

Interestingly, this is the ninth consecutive season that Man City have started with an away match. That hasn't stopped them from getting off to a great start, with 13 opening-day wins in the last 14 years.

On the other hand, the home team Wolves have been defeated in the opening round of the Premier League for 4 consecutive years. The "Wolves" also carried out a radical personnel revolution last summer.

The brightest star Matheus Cunha has left. The full-back pair Ait-Nouri and Semedo have followed. Coach Pereira is forced to build a framework based on brand new elements.

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City.jpg — Man City will travel to Molineux - Photo: Khelnow

Strand Larsen was bought permanently from Celta Vigo after a successful loan spell. New signings Jhon Arias and Fer Lopez will bring fresh air to the attack.

However, Wolves have not been in good form in pre-season friendlies (lost 4, drawn 1). Most recently, they lost 0-1 at home against Celta Vigo.

The first round clash with Man City will be a big challenge for the "wolves", especially in the context of no longer having main striker Matheus Cunha.

Asian ratio: Man City handicap 1 1/4 (1 1/4: 0) - TX: 2 3/4

Prediction: Man City win 2-1

Force information

Wolves : Leon Chiwone and Fabio Silva are out due to injury.

Man City: Mateo Kovacic, Kalvin Phillips, Rodri and Gvardiol are absent due to injury. Savinho and Ederson are not registered to play.

Expected lineup

Wolves : Sa; Doherty, Agbadou, Toti; Hoever, J. Gomes, Andre, Wolfe; Lopez, Arias; Strand Larsen.

Man City: Trafford; Nunes, Dias, Ake, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Gundogan, Reijnders; Foden, Haaland, Marmoush.

Match schedule
Round 1
08/16/2025 18:30:00	Aston Villa - Newcastle
08/16/2025 21:00:00	Brighton - Fulham
08/16/2025 21:00:00	Sunderland - West Ham
08/16/2025 21:00:00	Tottenham - Burnley
08/16/2025 23:30:00	Wolves - Manchester City
08/17/2025 20:00:00	Chelsea - Crystal Palace
08/17/2025 20:00:00	Nottingham Forest - Brentford
08/17/2025 22:30:00	Manchester United - Arsenal
08/19/2025 02:00:00	Leeds - Everton