The giants from the Etihad underperformed last season, finishing only third in the EPL and falling short in other tournaments. It seemed that in the new season, the team managed to gain momentum, despite some setbacks.
However, as they approached leaders Arsenal, they hit a “winter slump” with three consecutive draws! They even lost the Manchester derby to United, 0-2. Before that, though, they demolished Exeter in the cup with a 10-1 scoreline. They also confidently won the first League Cup semifinal against Newcastle, 2-0. This week, they lost in the Champions League to Bodo/Glimt, 1-3.
The visitors from Molineux were battling relegation a year ago, but under the leadership of new coach Vitor Pereira, ended up in sixteenth place with 42 points. However, after the summer break, things did not go well with either the Portuguese coach or his replacement, Andrews. Nevertheless, after breaking all anti-records, they managed to embark on an unbeaten run since late December and even picked up wins—against West Ham in the league and Shrewsbury in the cup. They also held Newcastle to a goalless draw in the previous round.
Haaland and company boast excellent stats: 2.05 goals scored per game and only 0.95 conceded. The main underdog, even with improved form in recent rounds, scores just 0.68 and concedes 1.86 per match.
Manchester City have not won in the EPL for four games in a row
45% of Manchester City’s matches end with both teams scoring, with an average total of 3.0 goals per match
Wolverhampton Wanderers are unbeaten in five consecutive matches
45% of Wolverhampton’s matches end with both teams scoring, with an average total of 2.55 goals per match.
Manchester City (probable lineup): Donnarumma – Aké, Allain, Khusanov, Matheus Nunes – Doku, Nico González, Foden, Reijnders, Bernardo Silva – Haaland
Wolverhampton Wanderers (probable lineup): José Sá – Krejci, S. Bueno, Mosquera – Hugo Bueno, Gomes, Mané, Arias, Tchatchoua – Hwang Hee-Chan, Arokodare.
Guardiola’s men have won ten of the last eleven head-to-head matches, including all of the last four, with just one defeat.
