Premier League: Sky Blues’ Chance to Return to the Top

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Manchester City

Manchester City may well have an opportunity to return to the summit of the Premier League on Sunday when they visit Molineux to take on struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Pep Guardiola’s Sky Blues will go top with a win, providing they match Arsenal’s goal difference, should the Gunners beat Bournemouth in the Saturday evening match. Current leaders Liverpool could hold on to their lead in the late Sunday kick-off but they have the toughest test of all, as they welcome a rejuvenated Chelsea who are riding high in fourth place.

It’s nicely congested at the top of the table, but Manchester City’s rivals will know that the reigning champions routinely become relentless after Christmas, and if they take the lead in October the signs are rather ominous; though the latest Premier League 2024 betting odds place Arsenal and City pretty much neck and neck with Liverpool in third place.

Things are already taking shape at the wrong end of the table too; and Gary O’Neil’s Wolves are on a terrible run and sit rock bottom of the Premier League table. They come into the game on the back of a 5-3 loss away to Brentford, while Manchester City beat Fulham at the Etihad in a five goal thriller; and this SBOTOP writer can only see three points for Guardiola’s side… and more misery for the Old Gold.

 

Talking Points

Wolves’ Big Players must lead the way

There is little doubt that Wolves are in a relegation scrap and, as I know being a dyed in the wool Burnley fan, if you don’t have leaders in your team then you may as well throw the towel in. The Premier League is jam packed with talent, but the likes of Wolves can’t hope to compete on that front, so they have to win games through blood and sweat, as well as no little skill.

The club has sold its captain three summers in succession with Conor Coady, Ruben Nevez and Max Kilman all walking through the exit door. Defensive midfielder Mario Lemina has taken the skipper’s armband and there is little doubt he would run through a wall for the club. But the Gabon star has only been at Molineux since 2023 and it won’t be easy for him to lift the younger players when things are going wrong. He needs big characters alongside him.   

Centre back Craig Dawson has stacks of top flight experience and he has been one of the best uncapped English defenders of the past decade. Dawson is a born leader and, now 34 years of age, he has seen it all, and he’ll have been furious Wolves managed to score three goals against Brentford and still lose by two.

Up front Matheus Cunha is in good form, scoring against the Bees to make it three for the campaign and utility man Rayan Ait-Nouri is a savvy player; the Algerian made an assist and scored a goal against Brentford and he has scored two games in succession. The Wolves can bite but they also need to be able to scrap.     

 

City’s midfield is the key

The Sky Blues are unbeaten, the only side alongside Arsenal to remain so after seven games, but, while they have a settled defence and a clearly potent attack, Guardiola has one or two issues to solve in midfield. He is without two of his core of world class players with Rodri and Kevin De Bruyne both out.

Phil Foden, so impressive last season, has made a quiet start and the boss has eased him in slowly and, when he reaches 100 per cent, Foden will have a huge impact. Mateo Kovacic could be the man to slot into Rodri’s defensive midfield place, but he tends to be a box to box player and Guardiola may consider using Rico Lewis in a deeper role. Another option is the returned Ilkay Gundogan but he is yet to reach his very best heights.

With all the noise around the 115 charges facing the club and the question over Guardiola’s future, it’s an uncertain time for Sky Blues fans; but they can be sure the boss who has brought them record breaking success will do everything in his power to get it right on the pitch.  

 

History

Manchester City have won five of the last six meetings with Wolves, the exception being a 2-1 reversal at Molineux early last season, as Hwang Hee Chan scored a second half winner.

With three wins and three draws over the last six games the Sky Blues are in patchy form by their standards, but one draw and five defeats for Wolves is a shocking run. 

 

Betting Tip

At 7.04 to win the hosts are outsiders and even a draw at odds 5.03 would be among the most surprising Premier League 2024 results of the campaign so far. I’m afraid, for Wolves fans…it’s not going to happen!

   

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