Manchester City vs Wolves Match Preview and Prediction
•Man City are unbeaten in 19 Premier League games, winning their last five by an aggregate score of 19-4
•Wolves have lost just two of their last ten away matches, beating Spurs and Chelsea in that run
•Wanderers have lost only two of their 20 away games this season by three or more goals
City can continue title chase
Manchester City are in the midst of their usual end-of-season surge and have now gone 19 Premier League matches without defeat as they look to land a historic fourth title in a row.
The Citizens have won their last five league games by an aggregate score of 19-4 and Pep Guardiola’s men seem to have found that extra gear which saw them fly home to the title last season.
However, while the points are racking up in their chase-down of league-leading Arsenal, their latest performance did raise some questions. City eventually won 2-0 at Nottingham Forest but they were outshot 14-11 and lost the expected goals 1.47-0.70 to their relegation-threatened hosts, which should give Wolves some hope ahead of a daunting trip to the Etihad.
Wolves could frustrate foes at the Etihad
Although, Wanderers may not have even needed that extra confidence boost as they were 2-1 winners in the reverse fixture back in September, suggesting they may have the tools to trouble the champions on Saturday.
Wolves have been strong on their travels this term too, landing impressive victories at Tottenham, Chelsea and Bournemouth throughout the season, losing just two of their last ten on their travels, and taking five more points on the road than seventh-placed Newcastle.
Based on the reverse fixture and that solid away form, there is every chance Wolves outperform their humongous odds at the Etihad on Saturday, albeit completing the double may be out of reach.
Their win over the champions at Molineux was very much a snatch-and-grab, with Wanderers managing just three shots to City’s 23, so backing them to keep things tighter than most visitors to the Etihad could be the play by backing Wolves at +3 on the handicap – meaning they must not lose by more than two goals, which they have only done twice in 20 away games all season.
Deadly De Bruyne key to hosts’ hopes
A huge reason for City’s strong end to the season has been the return of their chief creator Kevin De Bruyne from injury. The Belgian midfielder has scored four goals and assisted three more in his last six matches and could dominate this weekend.
De Bruyne netted four goals in a single game against Wolves just two seasons ago and has five strikes and five assists in his eight appearances versus the Wanderers, suggesting it could pay to back the Belgian to score on Saturday.