Manchester City are the team to beat in Europe right now and Wolves are going to try and emulate Newcastle’s Carabao Cup win by beating Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League.
Having lost the Community Shield to Arsenal, City had won all of their games in all competitions until Wednesday’s defeat to Newcastle. For Wolves, the task is going to be even tougher with some great players expected to return to City’s starting team.
The Premier League champions are without the suspended Rodri after his red card against Nottingham Forest last weekend, but it will still be a huge ask for a struggling Wolves side to get anything at Molineux.
Here is the team that Guardiola could pick to make sure City get back to winning ways.
GK: Ederson – He was rested in the cup but there is no doubt that Ederson will be between the sticks against Wolves on Saturday.
RB: Kyle Walker – Another player who was rested against Newcastle, Walker will take the place of Rico Lewis after the youngster did not have a great time in midweek.
CB: Manuel Akanji – Despite playing the whole Newcastle game, Akanji has become a very important player for Guardiola and he is expected to remain in place.
CB: Ruben Dias – The Portuguese defender got a rest in midweek so he will be re-installed as the main centre-back. But he will have to cope without Rodri in front of him and his defence.
LB: Nathan Ake – Josko Gvardiol played the whole Newcastle game and struggled, so Ake could be moved to the left for the trip to the West Midlands.
CM: Mateo Kovacic – It seems likely that Kalvin Phillips did not do enough against Newcastle to start in the league and Kovacic’s return to fitness will not have helped the Englishman.
CM: Matheus Nunes – This looks to be a very good signing and another that has transitioned seamlessly to life at City. He has heightened responsibility with Rodri out of the frame.
RW: Phil Foden – This seems to be Phil Foden’s position each week now and it is one that he has been impressing in. He is fresh after only playing 15 minutes against Newcastle.
CAM: Julian Alvarez – It is a great achievement for both the player and coaching staff that Alvarez has been turned into a superb attacking midfielder/second striker in Kevin De Bruyne’s absence.
LW: Jeremy Doku – Another seemingly successful signing from the summer, Doku must continue making an impact whilst De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva are injured.
ST: Erling Haaland – Rested completely against Newcastle, Haaland will be like a wound-up toy when the game begins at Molineux on Saturday afternoon.
