Wolves Ready to Battle Man City: Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
Manchester City kick off the 2025–26 Premier League campaign with a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers this Saturday, as the eight-time title winners look to bounce back strongly after last season's disappointments.
The Citizens lost their Premier League title to Liverpool and dropped to third position following their unexpected downturn in 2024–25, with their FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace adding to their woes. Pep Guardiola will be expecting a quick response from his team, along with maximum points from their weekend journey to Molineux.
City have been active in strengthening their roster during the summer window, creating space for fresh talent by letting veteran players like Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish move on. Fresh arrivals should help revitalize the squad as they seek to regain their form and challenge for the championship again.
Wolves will be hoping to deliver an early shock but their recent history against City is concerning. They have suffered defeat in nine of their previous ten encounters with the Manchester powerhouse, including a devastating 95th-minute loss in this same matchup last term.
The exits of Matheus Cunha and Rayan Aït-Nouri represent major setbacks for the Old Gold, with their pre-season performances only heightening supporter anxiety. They suffered four defeats and managed two draws in summer friendlies, failing to register a single shutout—a worrying indicator before City's impending arrival.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the clash in the West Midlands.
What Time Does Wolves vs. Man City Kick Off?
Wolves vs. Man City Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Wolves | Man City |
|---|---|
Wolves 0–1 Celta Vigo - 09/08/25 | Palermo 0–3 Man City - 09/08/25 |
Girona 2–1 Wolves - 03/08/25 | Man City 3–4 Al Hilal - 01/07/25 |
Wolves 1–3 Lens - 30/07/25 | Juventus 2–5 Man City - 26/06/25 |
Stoke 1–1 Wolves - 26/07/25 | Man City 6–0 Al Ain - 23/06/25 |
Wolves 1–1 Burnley - 19/07/25 | Man City 2–0 Wydad AC - 18/06/25 |
Wolves Team News
Yerson Mosquera remains the sole first-team injury worry for Wolves before their Premier League curtain-raiser and Vítor Pereira is expected to give multiple competitive debuts on Saturday. Following his impressive displays at the FIFA Club World Cup with Fluminense, new acquisition Jhon Arias should play some role, while Fer López and the fittingly-named David Møller Wolfe could earn starting positions.
The Old Gold are nearing completion of Jackson Tchatchoua's transfer from Hellas Verona as Nélson Semedo's replacement, but Ki-Jana Hoever might get the nod at right wing-back against City in Pereira's 3-4-2-1 system.
Wolves Predicted Lineup vs. Man City
Wolves predicted lineup vs. Man City (3-4-2-1): Sá; Doherty, Agbadou, Toti; Hoever, André, J. Gomes, Wolfe; Munetsi, López; Strand Larsen.
Man City Team News
Rodri's campaign-ending injury disrupted City's 2024–25 season and the Spaniard encountered a summer complication that will affect his new season preparations. Guardiola had previously stated the midfielder wouldn't return until September but has now confirmed Rodri will be included in the matchday roster, though his exact involvement remains uncertain.
Definitely unavailable are Mateo Kovačić, who had surgery in June, and defender Joško Gvardiol. Savinho, linked with Tottenham Hotspur interest, is absent due to an injury that Guardiola anticipates will sideline him for "several weeks", while Ederson is also unlikely to make the trip.
Aït-Nouri is virtually guaranteed to make his competitive bow against his former club from earlier this summer, while Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders might make their Premier League debuts.
Whether Ederson will get the starting role over returning goalkeeper James Trafford amid speculation about his future is yet to be determined.
Man City Predicted Lineup vs. Wolves
Man City predicted lineup vs. Wolves (4-1-4-1): Trafford; Nunes, Dias, Akanji, Aït-Nouri; González; Cherki, Reijnders, Silva, Marmoush; Haaland.
Wolves vs. Man City Score Prediction
City appeared to have found their rhythm at this summer's Club World Cup before being surprisingly eliminated by Al Hilal. It will require patience for them to reclaim their previous excellence, but Guardiola is almost guaranteed to solve the puzzle eventually this season.
Even if City aren't performing at peak level at Molineux, they should be favored to claim a victorious season opener. Their new acquisitions have shown promise during summer preparations and Erling Haaland will keep finding the net consistently.
Wolves have struggled during pre-season and have lost important personnel. A tremendously challenging opening encounter could result in home defeat.
Prediction: Wolves 0–2 Man City