Wolves vs Manchester City – Premier League 2025/26 Season Opener Preview, Lineups, Odds & Prediction
Match Details
Fixture: Wolves vs Manchester City
Competition: Premier League 2025/26 – Matchweek 1
Date: Saturday, August 17, 2025
Venue: Molineux Stadium
Kick-off Time: TBA
Manchester City Aim for Strong Start After Disappointing 2024/25 Campaign
The reigning eight-time champions Manchester City begin their 2025/26 Premier League season with an away trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers. After a disappointing third-place finish last season, where they lost the title to Liverpool and suffered an FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace, Pep Guardiola will demand a commanding performance from his revamped squad.
Summer Overhaul at the Etihad
City have undergone significant changes over the summer. Veterans Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, and Kyle Walker have all moved on, with younger talents coming in to inject freshness and energy into the team.
Wolves Face Uphill Battle in Molineux Clash
Wolves are bracing for a tough opener against Manchester City. Their summer has been marred by the departures of Matheus Cunha and Rayan Aït-Nouri, weakening their squad ahead of the new campaign.
Worrying Preseason for Wolves
| Match Type | Result |
|---|---|
| Friendlies | ❌ 4 Losses, 🤝 2 Draws |
| Clean Sheets | ❌ 0 |
A leaky defense and winless preseason underline the challenges facing Wolves, especially against a side like City.
Head-to-Head: Wolves vs Man City (Last 10 Matches)
| Result | Wins |
|---|---|
| Manchester City Wins | 9 |
| Wolverhampton Wins | 1 |
| Draws | 0 |
- Last Meeting: Manchester City 3-2 Wolves (95th-minute winner)
City have dominated this fixture, winning 9 of the last 10 encounters, including a last-gasp win at Molineux last season.
Predicted Lineups & Tactical Setups
Wolves Predicted XI (3-4-2-1)
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | José Sá |
| CB | Matt Doherty |
| CB | Emmanuel Agbadou |
| CB | Toti Gomes |
| RWB | Ki-Jana Hoever |
| LWB | Hugo Wolfe |
| CM | João Gomes |
| CM | André |
| CAM | Marshall Munetsi |
| CAM | Ayoub López |
| ST | Jørgen Strand Larsen |
Key Absentees: Matheus Cunha (departed), Rayan Aït-Nouri (transferred to City)
Manchester City Predicted XI (4-1-4-1)
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | James Trafford |
| RB | Matheus Nunes |
| CB | Rúben Dias |
| CB | Manuel Akanji |
| LB | Rayan Aït-Nouri |
| CDM | Federico González |
| RM | Rayan Cherki |
| CM | Tijjani Reijnders |
| CM | Bernardo Silva |
| LM | Omar Marmoush |
| ST | Erling Haaland ⚽ |
Key New Additions: Rayan Aït-Nouri (from Wolves), Cherki, González, Reijnders
Squad Comparison: Wolves vs Manchester City
| Attribute | Wolves | Manchester City |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Form | ❌ Winless (4L, 2D) | ✅ Solid |
| Squad Depth | Moderate | ✅ Excellent |
| Key Player | Jørgen Strand Larsen | ✅ Erling Haaland |
| Manager | Gary O’Neil | ✅ Pep Guardiola |
| Title Credentials | ❌ Low | ✅ High |
Wolves vs Man City – Key Stats
- City are unbeaten in 9 straight games vs Wolves.
- Wolves failed to keep a clean sheet in preseason.
- Erling Haaland scored 3 goals in 2 games vs Wolves last season.
- City’s last visit to Molineux ended in a dramatic 3-2 win.
Match Prediction
Wolves 1–3 Manchester City
With a reshaped but still formidable squad, Manchester City are expected to dominate this encounter. Despite being on the road, Pep Guardiola’s men should have too much quality for a struggling Wolves side. Expect Erling Haaland to find the net as City kick off their title challenge in style.
