Man City vs Wolves Prediction and Betting Tips: 7/4 and 11/1 picks from The Etihad

Saturday evening sees Manchester City look to make further ground on a fourth straight Premier League title. They host a stuttering Wolves side whose promising season has been hampered by numerous injuries. Matthew O’Regan provides us with his best bets. 

Manchester City have been ruthless this season as they close in on an unprecedented fourth consecutive title. While their Champions League hopes were dashed by Real Madrid, the double is still up for grabs and Pep Guardiola will be determined to ensure even more trophies. 

With five straight Premier League wins, there seems to be no stopping the Manchester City machine. Win the final four games and the title stays in Manchester. 

The return of Kevin De Bruyne has coincided with City’s upturn in form. The Belgian veteran has eight assists and four goals in 11 starts. Erling Haaland is also well rested, with his last start coming in the Champions League defeat to Real Madrid. 

Wolves come into this in stuttering form, although a 2-1 win over relegation-threatened Luton arrested a run of seven games without a win. Injuries have hampered an encouraging season, with Gary O’Neil having to rely on youth players to fill out his matchday squad.

The title is in Manchester City’s hands. They win their remaining four games and they’re champions yet again. Arsenal’s relentless form has meant the Citizens have had to be pretty much faultless in recent weeks – and that they have been.

Guardiola’s side have won their last five Premier League games and are unbeaten in 19 league games. Despite keeping clean sheets in the last two, it has not been plain sailing for City. 

The 0-4 drubbing of Brighton looked easy pickings for City, and it was. However, despite the lack of any attacking threat, the Seagulls were unlucky not to get a penalty after Joao Pedro was bundled over in the box. Manchester City were also very lucky to escape the City Ground with a clean sheet as the hosts squandered a host of golden chances. On another day Forest could have scored a couple, accumulating an xG of 1.93.

Manchester City have only conceded 32 goals this season – the second-fewest in the league. However, both teams to score has landed in 21/34 (62%) of their Premier League games. 

Wolves will most likely come to the Etihad and soak up the pressure, looking to hurt City in transition. This year they have defeated Tottenham (2-1) and Chelsea (2-4) away from home, despite having significantly less of the ball. They also managed to score against Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as shocking Saturday’s hosts 2-1 earlier in the season. 

While Manchester City should have far too much quality for Wolves, the away side are dangerous on the break so will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet. 

After becoming the second most expensive defender in history when signed in the summer from German side RB Leipzig, Joško Gvardiol came to Manchester with a weight of expectations on his shoulders.

The 22-year-old took some time to adapt and struggled for consistent game time. However, in recent months, he has established himself as a key cog in Pep Guardiola’s side, providing balance on the left side of the defence. 

The Croat had developed a reputation for his fantastic composure on the ball and ability to be press-resistant and Pep has developed him into a marauding fullback. 

Gvardiol opened the scoring in Manchester City’s 0-2 win over Nottingham Forest last time out, getting on the end of Kevin De Bruyne’s flat front post corner. It was his second goal in three Premier League games, with Gvardiol scoring a fine edge-of-the-area goal in the 5-1 drubbing of Luton, akin to his goal away at Real Madrid in the Champions League. 

His recent goalscoring exploits are indicative of the new-found freedom he has been afforded on the left side. Gvardiol has had at least one shot in 12 of his last 16 Premier League games, shooting at least twice in six of these. 

Wolves have struggled defensively this season conceding 55 goals. Set pieces have also been a prominent issue for Gary O’Neil’s side, with Wanderers conceding 4.11 shots from set pieces per game. Their opponents have also accumulated 11.44 xG from set pieces against them this season. 

Gvardiol has shown his ability to score from anywhere, whether it be from open play or set pieces. With Wolves expected to come to the Etihad and sit deep, Gvardiol should have an opportunity to get on the scoresheet.