Manchester City-Wolverhampton Preview

Pep Guardiola has not offered any guarantees that Kalvin Phillips will be the player to replace the suspended Rodri in the heart of Manchester City's midfield.

Rodri was sent off for violent conduct against Nottingham Forest last week and subsequently missed the EFL Cup defeat at Newcastle United, a match that Phillips started.

However, with Rodri out against Wolves on Saturday and for City's following league fixture against title rivals Arsenal, Phillips cannot be sure of a starting place.

"He has a chance like the other ones," Guardiola said of the former Leeds United man. "He's part of the group, an incredible contribution when he doesn't play. I don't have any complaints.

"Sometimes we look for something specific. If another team has the skills. Kalvin is a perfect one if the game is everything with the details he struggles more. Newcastle was tough, he was there, his physicality. He helped us to win against Forest."

Wolves have only won once this season, but Guardiola scoffed at the suggestion that a trip to Molineux presented an "easy" game.

"Normally all the games are easy," Guardiola replied sarcastically. "If we don't win the PL by December it's a disaster! Incredible respect for Wolves, the quality they have. The guys up front, the manager did incredible at Bournemouth. Against Brighton the chances they miss, against Liverpool they have chances.

"The quality is there, hopefully we can respond these three games before the international break."

Wolves – Pedro Neto

Neto has either scored or assisted in each of Wolves' last four Premier League matches (one goal, four assists). Only two players have been involved in at least one goal in five Premier League appearances in a row for Wolves – Henri Camara (March – May 2004, seven) and Steven Fletcher (May – August 2011, five).

Manchester City – Matheus Nunes

Nunes provided the assist for Erling Haaland's goal in City's 2-0 win over Forest last week, and is making his first return to Wolves following his acrimonious departure towards the end of the transfer window.

Having lost both of their Premier League games at Molineux this season (1-4 v Brighton, 1-3 v Liverpool), Wolves could lose each of their opening three home games in a league campaign for only the third time, after 1986-87 (fourth tier) and 2021-22 (Premier League).

City have won their last three Premier League away games against Wolves, as many victories as they had picked up in their previous 12 league visits to Molineux (D2 L7). Wolves have now lost their last six against the Citizens by an aggregate score of 19-3.

Wolves – 14.4%

Manchester City – 61.8%

Draw – 23.8%

Updated September 29, 2023