Wolves v Man City match preview
As Vitor Pereira bids to build on a 16th-placed finish in 2024/25, the manager starting his first full season in the Premier League knows Wolves need reinforcements after their opener at home to Manchester City.
Forward Matheus Cunha was directly involved in 21 of Wolves’ 54 league goals last season, scoring 15 times to lure Manchester United to pay £62.5 million for him in June.
Enterprising left wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri joined City for £31m a week later, leaving Pereira’s squad looking thin and the Portuguese of the opinion that he needs at least three additions.
“All managers always want more and more,” said Pereira told a news conference today. “We are working to get the players we need.
“[The club] know the positions and know the profiles. I will wait for the end of the market [on September 1] to see if it’s possible.”
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City manager Pep Guardiola is in the contrasting position of pursuing more outgoings following the permanent departures of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Maximo Perrone and the loans of Vitor Reis to Girona and Jack Grealish to Everton.
“It’s difficult because I love all of them,” Guardiola said of his players. “There will be two players on the tribune [against Wolves] and, when players come back, it will be four or five at home.
“It’s not an ideal situation. That’s why we all decided together, alongside [Grealish], that it was best for him to take minutes and play, play and play.”
Wolves v Manchester City team news
Forward Fabio Silva is unavailable for Wolves with a hamstring strain, while Leon Chiwome remains out with a serious knee injury the 19-year-old sustained in January.
Defender Yerson Mosquera has returned to training following a long-term knee injury but may not feature yet.
Wolves have signed Spanish forward Fer Lopez from Celta Vigo, Colombia wideman Jhon Arias from Fluminense and Norwegian wing-back David Moller Wolfe from Alkmaar.
Guardiola says defender Josko Gvardiol and midfielder Mateo Kovacic are “not ready” following injuries but hinted that talismanic midfielder Rodri could return from the bench following a long-term knee injury.
Winger Savinho will be out for weeks with an injury sustained in a friendly away to Italian club Palermo last Saturday.
England forward Phil Foden missed that game but is expected to be available and new signings including Ait-Nouri, goalkeeper James Trafford and midfielders Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki could make their debuts.
Wolves v Manchester City expected line-ups
Wolves XI: Sa; Doherty, Agdabou, Toti; Hoever, Joao Gomes, Andre, Wolfe; Arias, Bellegarde; Larsen
Manchester City starting XI: Trafford; Lewis, Stones, Ake, Ait-Nouri; Silva, Reijnders, Cherki; Marmoush, Haaland, Doku
How to watch Wolves v Man City: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Saturday is at 17:30 BST (12:30 ET / 09:30 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League and Ultra.
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