Losing 3-0 in this fixture last season wasn’t a bad achievement.
Conceding early and playing well over an hour with 10 men at the Etihad is the football recipe for a bloodbath.
The only disappointment was that Wolves were never in the game.
If I’m honest, I think we’re out of this one before it’s even kicked off given our Thursday night exploits, but that’s the beauty of sport I suppose – you just never know.
Any point is a bonus though – put it that way.
Man City
City have won 20 of their last 22 Premier League home matches. 71 scored, 14 conceded.
Spurs scrounged a point earlier this season after VAR ruled out a late winner for City, while an Andros Townsend wonder strike inflicted their one and only blemish on an otherwise perfect record last time.
It took them over an hour to kick the door down against Zagreb on Tuesday but they eventually ran out 2-0 winners.
They’re a juggernaut home and away but even more so on their own patch and with a full four days to recover and plan for this one, it’s a huge ask for Wolves to upset the applecart.
If they’re going to fall short this season it might be at the back where injuries to Laporte and Stones have left them short. Fernandino is a more than capable stand-in though and it’s not like they do much defending anyway.
Kevin De Bruyne may also sit this one out after picking up an injury, which would be a boost given his form so far this season.
The home end
Some thoughts lifted from the pre-match thread on the Blue Moon Forum.
They’ve been in poor form but we should expect them to play out of their skins against us. Everton played well above any other performance we’ve seen this season from them, they’ll probably be back to normal form at the weekend. Lets not make the same mistake we did against Newcastle last season or even Norwich this season. Lets also not expect Gundo and Silva to outwork Wolves if it becomes that kind of game. I don’t think we need to tell Pep that with this game though to be fair. Wolves are a dangerous animal on their day.
They’re not in good form so we need to be careful this isn’t a ‘typical City’ performance of old. IF we put away our chances then we should win even with the injuries we’ve got. I think Aguero will be determined to score after missing so many last night, although he played pretty well apart from leaving his shooting boots at home. Hopefully Bernardo is available.
Are we slightly underestimating Wolves ? They’ve only lost one game more than us in the League … and in all competitions this season they’ve lost 3 of their 16 games. Yes, mostly playing against much worse teams than us, but they’re not struggling as badly as some people think ?
Be a tough game. Nunez loves to pit himself against the top coaches so it won’t be a thrashing but I do expect us to come out on top 2-1 or 3-2.
Wolves
Tough to know what sort of XI Nuno should or will pick for this one.
I think we should play the extra man in midfield to try and plug as many gaps as humanly possible.
It’s incredible how often City get inside the full-backs and simply roll the ball across the six-yard box for a tap-in. Restricting that tried and trusted tactic is job one.
The pace and enthusiasm of Cutrone could be a good fit and I think keeping him and Traore as out balls might allow us to do some damage.
Jimenez looks jaded to me and assuming Jota is still out it might be good to get them rested up ahead of the next block of fixtures.
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The Poll
Predictions
Hats off to Paddy, Happy Wanderer, Matt Cook, Cape Town Supporter, Teddy Eley, Woodend Wolf, Dorset Wolf, spikeyboy, Old and wise, Prawny, robc306, Ian Davies, BG Wolf, DancesWithWolves, ExiledWolf and WolfStroker, who all took a maximum last time out by correctly forecasting the 2-0 win over Watford. View the full PL table here.
If you’d like to join in this week simply leave your prediction in the comment section below using the boxes provided.
That’s where you’ll also find my best guess for this one.
Up The Wolves!
I’m not being negative, I’m being realistic.
If we get a point I’d say it’s the best result we’ve achieved since Nuno took over, given everything going against us.
I hope we can do ourselves justice, get into the game and be competitive.
Even if it’s a slapping though, move on quickly and forget about it.
We play them well. Against them in the cup when we were in the Championship our second string outplayed their second string. We’ve never been blown out, even men, so I think it will be respectable at the very least.
Like I’ve said, we allow teams to get close and have possession but we don’t let them get a lot of good shots from good positions so we just have to keep that up Sunday and we’ll be fine.
I’d put our best defensive squad out there and maybe Cutrone instead of Neto, since he is more experienced at the top levels of football. He and Jimenez, if he plays, need to start developing and understanding.
Might also be an idea to have Cutrone and Traore and give Jimenez a rest. Plus it might be a good idea to get another pair understanding each other so they can rotate games and keep Jimemez and Jota as a pair.
Tim, make your mind up. You can’t keep fudging it. Nuno doesn’t have that luxury so, if you are going to criticise you have to state, without maybes and could bes who your selection is.
Man City and Liverpool are in a league of their own at the moment. You never know in football and we are capable of upsetting the big boys on our day. They have some highly influential players out, but the talent in their team is astonishing nonetheless. You’d have to be very brave to predict anything but a loss for this fixture.
Oh ye, of little faith.
Well………. I predicted us to get beat by Watford as I was on a downward mindset. Being wrong pleased me no end.
On Sunday though, I do expect us to get beat fairly comprehensively, so with my aim of getting zero points in the prediction league throughout the season I am predicting us to win at the Etihad.
Not hopeful at all for this one but to be quite honest I’m still on cloud nine after last night’s heroics in Istanbul!
This is definitely one for packing the midfield, just hope Dendoncker shows some flipping discipline and holds his position. He’s fast becoming the Belgian Dave Edwards!
I’d pretty much go with Thomas’ team but think there may be a couple more changes than that. Hope to see Jota up top but think he may be a sub at most.
Going for an optimistic 2-2!
‘Are we slightly underestimating Wolves ? They’ve only lost one game more than us in the League … and in all competitions this season they’ve lost 3 of their 16 games. Yes, mostly playing against much worse teams than us, but they’re not struggling as badly as some people think ?’
I’d buy the blogger who said this a pint if I knew who they were! I think our recent upturn in form has taught us all (no-one more so than me) another valuable lesson – always trust Nuno. Given how many games we’ve played, we’re not doing too badly. Time to kick on now though.
Like all of you I’m not confident of getting a result but I think City will have to work hard for 3 points. We seem to have regained our defensive solidity so will hopefully be tougher to break down than we were against Chelsea. Still, it’s a big task to prevent them from scoring.
Whatever the score, I think we’ll make a good fist of it.
Looking realistically I can see nothing but a City win
However just in case we can sneak/ fluke a goal I’ll predict a 1-1 draw which if dreams come true will be a massive result.
I have no more logical a reason to agree with your suggested result than you do yourself Paulus.
Nevertheless, I’m going to agree with it.
Guordiola is universally hailed as the world ‘a best manager and probably he is. But even Mick McCarthy could probably do well coaching Barca, Bayern and Man City. With City they can literally buy any player they want allowing Pep to not worry about defending as some of the best players anywhere play up front. (At the back they are happy to trip or obstruct breaking players).
And this provides Wolves best hope. We have a skilful disciplined defence and a team with a great group ethic. On their day our front two or three can catch out a defence that Norwich showed can be beaten.
Nuno is tactically astute and could, given some luck and a ref not prepared to over look City ‘s spoiling, get us a point.
Saiss will have to be especially careful as City are the masters at winning free kicks and penalties.
City are a superb team and any team managing to get a point or 3 off of them at the moment are really lucky.
Can we scrape a point on Sunday; probably not, but I’m a sucker for hoping for the best.
It’s not negativity Thomas,
We put a lot into that game in Istanbul and everything points to us getting a beating.
However, we have been a big fat fly in peps anti wrinkle cream recently and if we can start with Jota and Cutrone I’t would make me sit up with interest.
Everything needs to fall into place though
No De Bruyne
No goals in the first half hour
A handy v a r decision
Then , who knows
I’m having a cheeky double on us to win and Leicester to win at a gazillion to one
An early goal for citeh though and I’ll start looking at our next game , either way , I’m happy as a pig in poo
Utw
What City are brilliant is defending from the final third. Teams find it much harder to hit City on the break than the other top 6 sides. Passing our way out of their high press could be a disaster too if our ball-players aren’t on their A-game.
Question is, do we just want to park the bus and lose by one or two goals…
Or come up with a cunning plan to flaw City’s system…
Over to you Nuno
Think that they have too much pace for us, especially up front.
A point would be awesome but this is Wolves…….
….. and you never know….
Never, ever give up
Let’s face it, we’re going to be knackered after last night’s game but let’s also face facts in that Man City have generally struggled against us of late and it took big Willy’s sending off to give them a flattering score last season.
Despite conceding them around 80% of possession we’re bound to get at least one clear chance so a lot depends on whether or not it’s taken and whether we defend with discipline and determination. Without the travel to Constantinople and back I’d go for a hard earned point but I just feel that the travails will show in our legs towards the death. So:
Absolutely ridiculous. Despite my prediction found that Ladbrokes odds boost offering 28/1 on Wolves win. It’s a 2 horse race so had to fill my boots. Had £25 on. Do I have more?
Can’t bring myself to predict a loss so …
We beat them in the Asia cup final so why not tomorrow.
Absolutely spot on and positive mate…..
As well as Sunday!!
Yes Texas the sabbath included.
Wolves Aye We
Cutrone has to start Raul needs a rest because we are in danger of him burning out i know the international breaks round the corner but he has looked really jaded the last couple of games where as Cutrone looks full of energy and playing City he will be really fired up.
At the back the same as What Ford if its not broke don’t need to fix it and if Jota is fit we can have a real good go at Cit…….Tay after all we have nothing to lose…!
Can only see one winner in this… and it’s not Wolves unfortunately…so…
WHAT DO I KNOW…!!!
StuWolf
OCTOBER 4, 2019 AT 3:54 PM
If we’d played our game on Wednesday, there would have been training on Thursday, Friday and hotel Friday night.
Nuno has given all the lads that played last night, a day off, the subs are training today and the rest in on Saturday.
So the players are getting a day off.
But, this is City, so I am hoping without DeBruyne, Stones and the other whose name slips my addled brain and with Jota back, we may (May ) have some chance.
If we can play at the level of last nights intimidation, why not Sunday sneak a point or 3.
Me I’m the eternal optimist, so:-
City 0
Wolves 1 Jiminez coming on as sub taking a header off a Moutinho corner.
We have to raise our performance tactic levels to a new high,which we haven’t seen this season,bridge the space between our midfield and our attack,contain the threat off their wide players,while trying to exploit their weakness Walker..Hope they have an off day and suffer only home defeat of the season,with a worldly from Neves.We can but dream!!
Nuno will be concentrating on a more solid defence. A draw would be fantastic.
“Playing last night” and looking for .. why NOT reasons isn’t in my vocab…..
What is in my fresh thoughts is that Citeh couldn’t break us down in Asia…. and must be dreading not making an early breakthrough on Sunday.
Which they won’t….!!!
Which then transgresses into a classic smash and grab opportunity for the mighty Wanderers….
Cutrone to score in the 85th min after City have totally given up ever trying to find a goal against us.
Boly, the Colossus, won’t get sent off this time and little Raheem will be substituted as the tears of despondency mist his contact lenses at the last knocking….
(I’m learning the Cheeseburger lingo well…!!!!)
Not sure what happened there….
But here’s the prediction…
If you say Cutrone is gonna score after 85 minutes how come your prediction is 0-0? You sausage stealer you!
I know … I sampled the Weatherspoon sausage today and my eyes shed a little teardrop of that very thought….
I changed from 1-0 to 0-0 … it was disallowed through VAR…
Best wishes mate to you and Julie…XX
Hey, you leave Twixxo’s sausage out of this.
It’s a family show after all, and Her Lillianship will be upset!
Cheers Matt… need to stick together and thwart the Bedford menace….
Confident Nuno won’t want a repeat of last season.
So barring any red cards we have as much a chance as any.
And I for one, still sat here in the turkish sunshine believe that this is one Nuno will shine in along with the lads…..
City – 1
Wolves – 2
They pull their trousers on one leg at a time.
They have to use bog paper.
They only have two legs.
They cannot fly nor see through walls.
They are the same as us, they are not supermen and can be beaten.
We beat them fairly and squarely in China, when they wanted to win as much as we did, and had all their top guns blazing.
They are without some of their top blokes,( De Broyner scares the shit out of me, he’s that good ) so why not us?
No one gives us a prayer, but we don’t need prayers, we got Dr. N, a Big Wily and the Travelling Twelfth Man.
Fuck it, we can win this!!
5-1 to me babbeez!
That scoreline would make fuckin’ big ears on MOD shit his little panties!
FOwb
Will Thursday night’s game affect us? Maybe, but we are blooding our youngsters in both Europe and the EPL, not in the League Cup like most teams. The benefits will be realized in a couple of years! More blooding tomorrow I hope. We are over due for an excellent performance and maybe it will be sunday!
Just a great team. Give Raul a 2 1/2 week rest until the next match.
It is a free shot game really
Not expected to win but this is Wolves
We’ve had a tough schedule since we began the season in Northern Ireland, but gradually, gradually, the games seem to be spreading apart a little and, as they do, our performances and results are beginning to improve.
Nuno has the nous to pull the rabbit out of the proverbial hat and give the so called best manager in the world (if he could win the Prem with Rochdale or Hartlepool then I would believe) a lesson none of us will forget. Sure, we will need to defend. Lots. And from the front, with everyone pulling their weight. That’s why I prefer to see Adama on the bench at the start, and only bought on after an hour. The boy is a miracle worker going forward but keep him away from the defence in this game unless and until we really need him.
Either way, Nuno knows best. Nuno is the special one.Nuno makes the impossible possible. We will win.
By the way, I’ve been on a little trip but will be travelling home on Sunday afternoon so will miss this joyous occasion. Look forward to seeing some of you at a game before too long.
You bet mate… you taking longer than Brexit to get sorted back to blighty…
Look forward to seeing you … at the Combemere..
I live in hope Twix, but I couldn’t get a ticket for the Soton game ’cause I ain’t got enough loyalty points. Hoping for home draws in the cups now so I can build up my points a bit.
League Cup Final 2nd March 1974 Manchester City only have to turn up to win.
Wolves 2 – Manchester City 1
Premier League 6th October 2019 Manchester City only have to turn up to win.
Wolves 2 – Manchester City 1
One of the biggest shocks of the season so far. Got 12/1 on a Wolves win.
Raul not going to Mexico for international break, apparently, so a good rest is in order for our star forward!
That’s because he’s going to Bermuda where Mexico are playing!
Can’t see anything other than a win for City I’m afraid. We still aren’t firing on all cylinders at the moment.Think we will be in for a bit of a hammering.
Close but no cigar.
Defend the Shite out of this one .
Nothing whatsoever spectacular just down to earth total defending.
Boring as hell and I don’t give a damn if we are last spot on the lineker show.
THEN let Traore loose last half hour to give them something else (other than scoring) to think about .
Stand firm my wolves give them nothing !
P.s Saiss in the middle no nonsense Bennett returns to the back the donk on the bench
if our lads really are tired then Nuno should make some changes, but he does seem to stick with the same, best lineup. maybe substitutions as the game progresses. We can be sure our lads will be up for a determined effort, and we can but hope for no red cards for us, and maybe a little luck. If Jota plays I’d be more confident but, hoping for the best.
Still in Istanbul, had a good night out with Stu and Jen de wolf, few beers trying to run down our Turkish Lire, trouble is we nearly overdid it and had to change some more sterling,(Stu’s got a hollow leg)
Back home by teatime tomorrow, nights kip then off to the Etihad Sunday morning.
God it’s a busy life being a Wolves fan, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Still in the afterglow of Besiktas but I think we can turn over these Manc’s so I will go for a 1-0 win
A free hit and I just think City have got too much for us, despite our recent resurgence. It’s a shame this isn’t a lesser team as another win going into the int’l break would be great. I might be doing us an injustice but I just can’t see it this time.
Think the lads will be knackered after our recent intensive programme of games and little recovery since Besiktas.
Managed to blag a ticket, so a long day tomorrow.
COMBs!
No DeBruyne will help our cause, but still a good work out for our defence
Hopefully put one by them
3-1
Terrific album. Terrific cover. 🙂
Yes must agree, saw them in about 1969, unique, an acquired taste though!
Our confidence should be improving after last nights terrific win. Jota back if fit, Adama on the bench and a rest for Raul. Netto too on the bench and MGW needs a run in the U23s. Saiss may be targeted- he is over physical and a yellow card waiting to happen if he plays in the back three . If he keeps his discipline I fancy a draw, if not, same score as last season.
Really fancy our chances of coming back witha point or two.
Easy away win
The only question on this game is how many we lose by??
Wolves are notorious for winning the tough games that everyone expects them to lose. It wouldn’t surprise me if they did with this one too. But my current concern right now is with our forwards seemingly a little out of sorts, and there’s only so much a defence can take before the inevitable. With the Jimenez-Jota partnership somewhat on temporary hold (what is wrong with Jota’s foot?), it is time for Cutrone to show us he’s not another Bonatini. A Cutrone-Traore partnership, perhaps? Let’s be having it!
Go Wolves!!!
Hate to do it, but the realist in me predicts a bit of a thumping…
A lot of ground to cover and some sad news to finish
I thought we played badly in Istanbul and were lucky on several fronts ….like their forwards couldn’t shoot straight and we gave the ball away like it was plague-ridden. And the post saved Coady from the OG.
But the finish was sublime and …well I’ll come back to that.
We’ve played Citeh well for the past few years and we and they know they are far from unbeatable. I like the line up that puts Traore forward with Cutrone. Adama can’t defend so lets keep him out of harm’s way and let him draw 2/3 defenders when he gets the ball. With the Italian stallion rushing through plus an opportunistic midfielder or two we can get some shots on goal. Then who knows.?
But if we carelessly gift them endless midfield possession then its down to Patricio to keep us in the game. For sure they will have 12-15 shots with half on target,
I love to read of the optimism here on the Blog but my forecast is that …we will lose, but not like What Ford….but wait a minute,…..we have a force behind us.
I’m going on here longer that I normally do because I’m trying to delay the sad news…
For all our friends from the Bloggers Ball I must tell you that straight after Willy scored in Istanbul my lovely wife Diane passed peacefully. It was after a year-long battle with a brutal cancer that she fought but couldn’t win. Wolves have lost a brilliant spitfire-like supporter and the team need to dedicate the win to her on Sunday.
Sorry everyone my heart is broken.
OODCL
Sorry to hear that Marin wolf
I’ll unofficially change my prediction to a wolves win
Citeh 1 wolves 2
Boly with the winner. For Diane
Utw
So desperately sorry to hear this news Marin. My thoughts are with you and your family.
My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Mike
🙁
Our thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Ian & Sue
Very sad to hear the news.
I for one am extremely grateful to have met Diane, however briefly, at the Ball.
Everything else pales into insignificance, and our collective hearts go out to you.
So, so sorry.
If you ever need to vent, or scream at the injustice of it all, you have my number.
May your lovely lady rest in peace.
Condolences Marin, my thoughts are with you
Mate, I’m speechless.
There’s a lot of tears being shed here for your lovely lady.
I make it a point not to swear on the blog but I’m making an exception here.
Life can be a fucking bitch and bloody unfair and it’s usually the ones who deserve it least who get shat on!
So sorry to hear your news..
All our sympathies go to you and your lad. If there is anything that I can do to ease the pain, or if you just want to chat, let me know via the blog and I’ll give you my number.
Meantime, warm thoughts are heading across the pond in your direction.
Lots of love from Mark and Sue.
Sorry to hear about this.
Hi Marinwolf
We’ve never met but still I’d like to pass on my sincerest condolences. I’m not sure anything can take away the pain of your loss but I hope football and the thoughts of a few like minded people will at least be a small distraction.
OODCL….
We’re both really saddened to read of Diane’s passing Brian and words can’t always express what feelings we have for you and your family.
We too met Diane fleetingly in May at the Ball and it’s hard to believe or understand how life can change so quickly and be so painful.
Our sincerest thoughts go out to you mate ….. the strength of the Wolf will always be in the pack… we’re all with you on this one….
Love from Mike and Lilian xx
So sorry Brian our thouhts are with you and family.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Paul.
Really sorry to hear that. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Sending love.
Brian, our thoughts are with you at this sad time. Stay strong my friend.
Terrible news. So sorry to read this. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Dougie and Barbara
Brian,
Jenny and I are devastated for you and your family, Diane although suffering was a bubbly, vibrant beautiful woman who hid her pain well at the bloggers ball.
I unofficially change my prediction too:-
City 0
Diane 1 (Boly in Nuno time)
Our thoughts are with you guys, we love you all.
Sorry for your loss.
Sad to say I don’t see us getting anything. Having just two days to recover from our Turkey trip doesn’t help.
Very sorry for your loss Marin. Deepest condolences mate.
We have too many performing at 7/10 at the moment. To get anything from this we’ll need 8 and 9s. I think on our day we can hold our own with anyone in this division – bar this bunch and Liverpool. We’re still work in progress and I fear we might just have to take the hit with this one.
I’ll be delighted to be proved wrong though.
Love and best wishes, Marin. Keep strong.
I can’t believe it, but I’m going for a Wolves loss today against a truly great team. The edge we need will be missing after about half an hour in my opinion after the long trek to and from Istanbul only a short time ago. Their larger squad will also help them attain a far fresher team with the extra day’s rest. As I’m so poor at guessing results maybe we still have a chance. I just hope we play well, but I see a three nil win for the Citeh.
Sorry; forgot to put the score in the boxes…
Hard to see us getting anything from this but you never know. Man City defence is nowhere near the quality of their attack so we may get something.
A win is probably, maybe certainly, not achievable but a draw, who knows?
Think we should go 3-5-2 with Cutrone up front and give Raul a rest.
This is going to be a big ask after our exploits on Thursday. I would not be against Nuno making changes and resting some of our big hitters but with the international break after this i doubt he will. If we do lose it shouldn’t take the gloss of our recent improvement and after a few days off i expect us to be back at it after the break and beating Southampton.
I will say this regarding Nuno’s approach. If you try to get all the strikers playing like Raul and Diogo, it probably makes the preparation that the opposing team does easier because you are throwing different players on the pitch but having them play as much alike as possible.
How about a plan C, where it is completely different. They can prepare for our normal style and we throw Cutrone at them and have the midfielders ping balls over their back line’s shoulders.
Would be much different from what they expect.
What good is a plan B if it is 85% the same as plan A?
But I doubt Nuno will start Cutrone until he learns to play more like Raul.
Has to be our hardest fixture for the season. It will be a massive boost to the team’s confidence to get anything out of it. If we can sneak the first goal, we might be in with a shout. Alas, I don’t think that will happen. All will be well after the international break.
Basically the boys have got to sit in and wait for the opportunity to counter . I am not saying we just need to park the bus but if we try to match them toe to toe we will end up getting battered!
COYW
Out of respect to Marin and the terrible trauma he has experienced I am going to keep it brief and to the point. 1-1 draw. Whatever the result it’s just a game of football. My thoughts are with you my friend.
I think the best we can hope for is a draw at the Etihad. I would love us to win but be a long shot away at city, but then again de bruyne’ is out injured!!
As Cheesy says it’s only a game & there are much more important things in life, family being the most important one!
I predicted a loss last season (only time I have) and they drew. So in theory if I predict a draw they’ll win.
OODCL
Think we can get something out of this due to their injuries
Marin, your news certainly puts things in perspective. We’ve never met but I’m so sorry to hear about your loss and will certainly remember you in my prayers.
Under the circumstances brief comment only. The pundits seem to have made a right hash of their predictions this week and Wolves might, just might, be the team to make them look even more silly. Here’s hoping!!!
COYW
No words, on holiday!
One of the toughest games of the season. I just don’t think we’re playing well enough to get anything at the moment. No more than a deficit of two please
We know how to play them, as we have already shown 4 times, so more of the same please. Their central defence is injury hit and this may be our opportunity, possibly by resting Raul and starting with Cutrone and Traore up top. Still a very difficult ask…
Interesting team sheet, with Traore and Vinagre as wingbacks and Saiss retaining his place in defence. It could work spectacularly or we could get thumped. I’m hoping against the latter.
Good to see Cutrone starting.
Just before the bell
phew just in time
I’m going to use an expletive for the second time in two posts.
ABSOFUCKINGLOOOTLYMAGNIFICENT!!!!!!!!!!