Wolves the stumbling block as Champions Man City chase perfect Liverpool

It has been a fantastic start to the season for the champions but still Pep Guardiola’s side trail Liverpool – who edged past Leicester City on Saturday afternoon – by eight clear points. A stalemate with Tottenham and a shock defeat at the hands of Norwich left City adrift of the perfect record of Liverpool.

In truly remarkable fashion, the Citizens responded to that shock 3-2 loss perfectly by drubbing Watford 8-0 at the Etihad before a fairly comfortable 3-1 win against Everton.

Nuno Espirito Santo and his men would understandably be worried about a City side that has racked up an absurd 27 goals in their opening 7 matches.

Especially at this moment when Wolves are not at their defensive best having kept just 2 clean sheets in the top flight so far.

With Wolves conceding five against Chelsea, it might get ugly quickly for the visitors on Sunday at the Etihad.

Team News

Manchester City

Kevin De Bruyne is expected to miss out once again for Manchester City after suffering a groin injury at the start of the week. Leroy Sane, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte remain sidelined.

Benjamin Mendy and Joao Cancelo both started in the Champions League in midweek but Kyle Walker and Oleksandr Zinchenko are expected back in the team here.

As Sergio Aguero started in the Champions League on Tuesday, Gabriel Jesus will hope to start against Wolves on Sunday.

Ilkay Gundogan, David Silva and Bernardo Silva compete for two spots in midfield, with Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez expected to flank the lone striker.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Diogo Jota was not risked in Thursday’s 1-0 win away to Besiktas and Nuno will hope to have him available at the Etihad.

19-year-old Pedro Neto made his full league debut for Wolves last weekend and he will hope to start here if Jota fails to recover in time.

Ruben Neves will hope to earn a recall to the starting XI after being dropped in the 2-0 win over Watford last weekend.

Romain Saïss started at centre-back over Jesus Vallejo and Ryan Bennett last weekend and is an option in their back three here.

Match Facts

Man City have won 19 of their last 21 matches (Premier League).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Man City’s last 8 games (Premier League).

Man City have scored at least 2 goals in their last 8 matches (Premier League).

Man City have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 6 home matches (Premier League).

Manchester City have seen at least 4 goals scored in every one of their league matches so far.

Predictions

It is hard to bet against a City side that have won 11 of their last 12 Premier League home games.

Tip: Manchester City to Win and Over 2.5 Goals.