Man City in Tough Test Against Wolves

Oleksandr Osipov / Shutterstock.com

The Premier League returns this weekend and we have one match to look forward to on Monday night as Manchester City host Wolverhampton Wanderers.  Being the final match of the weekend, both teams will know what they need to do in terms of their targets this season.

In truth, Manchester City know that they need to win this game whatever happens elsewhere.  However, if both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur drop points this weekend, they will have extra incentive to win themselves.

Wolves begin the weekend in 9th place and will want to hold on to a top half position.  If other results go their way, they could move up to 7th place in the table.

Manchester City have enjoyed their past week thanks to huge wins in both the FA Cup and League Cup.  The Citizens defeated Rotherham United 7-0 on the weekend and followed that up with a massive 9-0 victory over Burton Albion.

The two wins followed the very important 2-1 victory over Liverpool in their last Premier League game.  Manchester City appear to have recovered form their blip over Christmas during which they lost to Crystal Palace at home and Leicester City away.

Trends show Manchester City have lost only five of their previous fifty-nine Premier League games. However, they will want to improve defensively at home as Manchester City fans have seen both teams score in each of the last six home games in the Premier League.

Wolves will be feeling good about themselves ahead of this game having seen off Liverpool in the FA Cup third round on Monday night.  That result means Wolves have been undefeated in six of their last eight matches in all competitions.

Form has picked up in the Premier League recently and following a run of five losses and one draw, Wolves have won four, drawn one and lost two of their last seven Premier League fixtures.  They have been good away from home and Wolves have won five and drawn two of their last nine away league games.

Wolverhampton record against the top teams is excellent and they have defeated Chelsea plus drawn with Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City earlier in the season. Both teams have scored in each of Wolves last five away Premier League matches.

Looking ahead to the team news and Manchester City are still without left-back Benjamin Mendy so Fabian Delph is expected to cover in that position.  Sergio Aguero was ill in mid-week but is expected to return for this game and Kevin De Bruyne is pushing for a starting place in midfield having recovered from injury.

Wolves have every player fit and available for this game.  They are expected stick with three centre backs and Ruben Neves will be hoping his performance in the FA Cup is enough to win his place back in the starting XI.

There is no doubt Wolves have performed well against the top teams this season but Manchester City’s win over Liverpool means it is all to play for at the top of the Premier League.  Wolves may score but Manchester City look too strong and should take maximum points.