Premier League: City Seek to Go Back on Top at Wolves

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester City

Manchester City missed their chance to return to the top of the Premier League table after they drew with Aston Villa last time out.

But after a bit of a break, the defending champions will have another shot at reclaiming top spot when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

Wolves finally got their first win of the season last time out against Southampton. And with Diego Costa now on board, they will look to defy the Premier League 2022 betting odds against the champions.

Talking Points

Wolves add Diego Costa to the pack

After going winless in their first five games (two draws, two defeats), Wolves finally got their first victory of the new Premier League season as they edged out Southampton 1-0. Daniel Podence’s strike just after half-time was enough to hand Wolves all three points.

Although, Wolves suffered a nasty blow in that win as new signing, striker Sasa Kalajdzic, sustained a serious knee injury that will likely see him miss the rest of the season.

As a result, Wolves have signed veteran Diego Costa on a free transfer. The 33-year-old made a name for himself with successful spells at Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, both of whom he helped win two league titles.

Costa scored an impressive 52 goals in 89 Premier League games over three seasons for Chelsea. He spent the 2021 season in Brazil with Atletico Mineiro, where he scored 4 goals in 15 appearances.

It remains to be seen whether he will be ready to make his debut for Wolves against City as he needs to work himself back into shape.

Wolves desperately need help scoring goals; they have found the net only three times in six games, tied for the fewest goals in the Premier League.

But on the other end, Wolves are still quite decent defensively. They have conceded just four goals, the best defensive record in the league.

Man City getting fitter

After scoring an astonishing 17 goals in their previous four Premier League games, Manchester City were held to a single goal in a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last time out.

Erling Haaland again got on the scoresheet as he added to his amazing tally of Premier League 2022 highlights with 10 goals in just six games, but the champions were unable to add another goal and paid the price.

As of this writing, Haaland and City have yet to play their midweek Champions League match against his old club Borussia Dortmund, their first match since their 4-0 thrashing of Sevilla in their Champions League opener. Haaland continued his blistering hot form with a brace in that match, while Joao Cancelo got two assists while deputising for the injured Kyle Walker at right-back.

Walker is still not at practice and is unlikely to play in midweek against Dortmund. Meanwhile, centre-back Aymeric Laporte is back in training but it may be too soon for him to return. However, Pep Guardiola says John Stones is back fit and will likely play in midweek.

New signing Manuel Akanji, who made his City debut against Sevilla, will be ready to deputise should Laporte and Stones be unable to play.

Kalvin Phillips also featured against Sevilla, his first appearance since the Premier League opener against West Ham. He gives Guardiola another midfield option should the City manager choose to rotate against Wolves.

History

Wolves were once considered a bogey team for Man City. That was after their stretch of four games from 2018 to 2019, which included back-to-back wins in 2019. Adama Traore’s pace was a particular thorn in City’s side.

However, City have since regained dominance over the Wolves in recent years. They’ve done the double over them in each of the past two seasons. That includes a 5-1 thrashing of Wolves at Molineux last season.

Kevin de Bruyne was the star of the show as he smashed in a hat-trick within half an hour en route to a four-goal haul. That win was City’s biggest over Wolves since a 6-1 victory back in 1904.

Betting Tip 

Unsurprisingly, SBOTOP odds have Manchester City installed as massive 1.31 favourites over Wolves, who are priced at 8.50 to pull off a shock win. A draw is 5.40.

Aside from that Aston Villa setback, City are in stellar form at the moment. Haaland has settled in wonderfully to his new home and they are scoring goals for fun.

While Wolves will do all they can to keep City at bay, the champions should still find a way to pick up another comfortable win.

 

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