Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the English Premier League match.
Wolverhampton have undergone a full-scale summer rebuild and approach the season opener with major questions over their attacking threat. The loss of key players, an influx of new faces lacking chemistry, and poor pre-season results make taking points off Manchester City look an almost impossible task.
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton have lost top scorer Matheus Cunha (15+6 last season), along with Nelson Semedo and Gonçalo Guedes. The new arrivals — Jhon Arias, Fer Lopez, Jørgen Larsen and David Moller Wolfe — have yet to click, and pre-season was underwhelming: three defeats in four games and just three goals scored. Vítor Pereira managed to steer the club to safety last term, but begins this campaign facing both personnel gaps and a lack of cohesion.
Manchester City
After finishing third last season, Manchester City have strengthened in midfield and out wide with Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Aït-Nouri, and brought back academy graduate goalkeeper James Trafford. They have, however, lost Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker. At the Club World Cup, the team tested their newcomers, losing in the quarter-finals to Al Hilal (3:4) but scoring 16 goals across the tournament. Manchester City also impressed in a recent 3:0 friendly win over Palermo, with Reijnders netting twice on his debut.
Wolverhampton v Manchester City Prediction
The gulf in quality is clear, and Wolverhampton’s current state offers little reason for optimism. Manchester City are motivated, match-sharp and ready to exploit every weakness. Even with potential rotation, the visitors should win comfortably.