Match Overview
Manchester City welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium in a Premier League meeting that pits one of the division’s most controlled attacks against a side seeking a lift on the road. City’s home form has been prolific and they arrive with momentum after a comprehensive 4-0 win in August, when Erling Haaland struck twice. Wolves, meanwhile, have found goals hard to come by away from home and will need discipline and efficiency in transition. With City sitting second and thriving in possession, this is a stern test for the visitors.
- Fixture: Manchester City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Competition: Premier League
- Venue: Etihad Stadium
- Date: 24-01-2026
- Kickoff: 15:00 GMT / 15:00 UTC
Predicted Lineups
Manchester City
- G. Donnarumma (Goalkeeper)
- N. Aké (Defender)
- A. Husanov (Defender)
- R. Lewis (Defender)
- R. Aït-Nouri (Defender)
- P. Foden (Midfielder)
- Bernardo Silva (Midfielder)
- N. O’Reilly (Midfielder)
- T. Reijnders (Midfielder)
- E. Haaland (Attacker)
- J. Doku (Attacker)
Wolverhampton Wanderers
- José Sá (Goalkeeper)
- L. Krejci (Defender)
- Hugo Bueno (Defender)
- S. Bueno (Defender)
- E. Agbadou (Defender)
- João Gomes (Midfielder)
- André (Midfielder)
- Y. Mosquera (Midfielder)
- Fer López (Midfielder)
- J. Tchatchoua (Attacker)
- T. Arokodare (Attacker)
Injury & Suspension Report
Manchester City
- J. Gvardiol – Broken Leg
- O. Bobb – Hamstring Injury
- Sávio – Health problems
- M. Kovačić – Heel Injury
- Matheus Nunes – Illness
- Nico González – Injury
- Rúben Dias – Thigh Injury
- J. Stones – Thigh Injury
Wolverhampton Wanderers
- T. Chirewa – Illness
- Toti – Hamstring Injury
- J. Bellegarde – Hamstring Injury
- Leon Chiwome – Lacking Match Fitness
Head-to-Head
Across a long series of meetings, Manchester City hold the edge with 48 wins to Wolves’ 41, with 22 draws. Recent clashes have tended to produce goals, averaging more than 3.5 per game across the last eight encounters. That history points to open phases and chances at both ends.
Match Analysis & Prediction
Manchester City’s home control and attacking rhythm
City’s recent form at the Etihad has been emphatic, with 17 goals in their last five home matches. Their approach blends patient build-up with quick combinations, stretching opponents wide and creating high-quality chances. Erling Haaland’s movement and penalty-box presence were decisive in August’s 4-0 win, while creative supply from Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and T. Reijnders supports sustained pressure. R. Lewis has also shown end-product from defense, adding a secondary threat when City step into the final third.
Wolves’ away form and route to goal
Wolves have struggled to convert on their travels, scoring four goals across five away fixtures and going winless over that run (three defeats, two draws). The likely plan is compact defending and fast breaks toward J. Tchatchoua and T. Arokodare, with André and João Gomes tasked with disrupting City’s rhythm and progressing play. José Sá’s handling and command will be vital behind a back line featuring S. Bueno, Hugo Bueno, L. Krejci and E. Agbadou, while Y. Mosquera and Fer López offer industrious support in midfield.
Key battlegrounds and tactical outlook
City’s capacity to dominate possession and pin opponents back should define the flow. With Rúben Dias and J. Stones sidelined, responsibility falls on N. Aké and A. Husanov to manage transitions and set-piece moments, areas where Wolves could find their best chances. Out wide, J. Doku’s direct running and Foden’s rotations can unbalance the visitors, while Wolves will look to keep distances tight and deny central combinations. If City break the first line consistently, territory and shot volume should tilt heavily their way.
City enter second in the table with 43 points from 22 matches, underlining their consistency. Wolves’ recent 0-0 at Newcastle showed defensive resilience, but sustaining that over 90 minutes at the Etihad is a different task given City’s tempo and depth of chance creation.
Prediction: Manchester City to win, 2-0.