Preview: Man City v Wolves – can Nuno's boys claim another scalp?

Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers previews the clash.

Preamble

Taking on a team that’s smashed in a scarcely comprehensible 16 goals in two matches (albeit against lower-league opposition) is undoubtedly a daunting prospect.

There are three reasons, though, why you can’t imagine that will bother Wolves too much.

Firstly, they’ve approached every game this season with the same intrepid mentality and picked up a result against each one of the ‘big six’ (in the league or cup) before we’re even into February.

Secondly, they’ve been here before, just a couple of weeks ago. Spurs had hammered in 11 goals in their previous two Premier League games, but Wolves went to Wembley, outplayed them and won 3-1.

Thirdly, Nuno Espirito Santo's team have already held City to a draw this season, at Molineux last August (and took them all the way to penalties at the Etihad last season in the Carabao Cup).

The head coach spoke on Friday about how his team wouldn't be scared of City and you certainly believe him.

Both bosses have been full of praise for their opponents – Nuno said Guardiola was one of the best managers in the world, while Guardiola has pinpointed Wolves' 'incredible' players on the counter attack as being a threat tonight.

Guardiola said: "They are strong physically, good on set pieces, have incredible players on the counter-attack, they don't just do that with two or three, they have four or five. And when you are tired they can bring on two new players to do that.

"They defend deep, they switch play, they control many areas and with Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho they can shoot from outside the box. That's why they are doing incredibly well."

High praise indeed, and Wolves have been getting used to that this season.

If they can pull off a shock result tonight (and yes despite their pedigree it would be a shock...the bookies have them at 16/1 to win) they'll earn more praise than ever.

One thing's for definite, they won't die wondering. Let battle commence.

The opposition

We spoke to two Manchester City experts to get the lowdown on tonight's opponents.

Team news

Sergio Aguero (illness) and Vincent Kompany (muscle injury) will both be given late fitness tests but have both trained.

Kevin De Bruyne is still easing his way back into fitness – he started City's two cup thrashings but was substituted after 67 and 58 minutes.

Benjamin Mendy is out for another few weeks with a knee injury and keeper Claudio Bravo has a long-term Achilles problem.

As for Wolves, they have a clean bill of health.

Nuno picked a three-man midfield against Liverpool last Monday but has tended to plump for a flat 3-4-3 against the big boys away from home to great success (points at Man United and Arsenal and that win at Spurs).

In that scenario expect Diogo Jota on the left, Raul Jimenez up top and possibly Adama Traore on the right after his excellent showing at Wembley.

Nuno's toughest selection arguably comes in midfield where Neves, Moutinho, Romain Saiss and Leander Dendoncker have all impressed at one point or another in recent weeks.

Neves and Moutinho caused City problems in the reverse fixture, but Wolves have evolved since then. It'll be interesting team news at the Etihad.

Likely line ups

Man City (4-3-3): Ederson; Danilo, Stones, Kompany, Laporte; Fernandinho, Silva, Bernardo; Sterling, Aguero, Sane.

Wolves (3-4-3): Patricio; Bennett, Coady, Boly; Doherty, Neves, Moutinho, Jonny; Traore, Jimenez, Jota. Subs: Ruddy, Dendoncker, Saiss, Vinagre, Gibbs-White, Cavaleiro, Costa.

Key players

Man City – Sergio Aguero

Put simply, one of the best players in the world. Has scored 213 goals in 314 City games (47 appearance from the bench). Only netted one goal in four appearances against Wolves – he’ll look to improve on that record tonight. Conor Coady says he’s his toughest ever opponent.

Wolves – Rui Patricio

Patricio has been well shielded by his defence this season, but he’ll surely have to have an outstanding game if Wolves are to get a result.

The bosses

Pep Guardiola: "We realised how complicated it would be when we played them in the cup last season and again early this season."

Nuno Espirito Santo: "They are a very good team, one of the best teams in the world, so there's no doubt about it, on Monday they'll be as good as they always are. We will not be afraid. We don't go on the pitch scared."

Form

Man City WWWWL

Jan 9: Man City 9 (De Bruyne 5, Jesus 30, 34, 57, 65, Zinchenko 37, Foden 62, Walker 70, Mahrez 83) Burton Albion 0 *Carabao Cup

Jan 6: Man City 7 (Sterling 15, Foden 43, Ajayi OG 45, Jesus 52, Mahrez 73, Otamendi 78, Sane 85) Rotherham 0 *FA Cup

Jan 3: Man City 2 (Aguero 40, Sane 72) Liverpool 1 (Firmino 64)

Dec 30: Southampton 1 (Hojbjerg 37) Man City 3 (David Silva 10, Aguero 32, Ward-Prowse OG 45)

Dec 26: Leicester 2 (Albrighton 19, Pereira 81) Man City 1 (Bernardo 14)

Wolves WLWDL

Jan 7: Wolves 2 (Jimenez 38, Neves 55) Liverpool 1 (Origi 51)

Jan 2: Wolves 0 Crystal Palace 2 (Ayew 83, Milivojevic 90+5)

Dec 29: Tottenham 1 (Kane 22) Wolves 3 (Boly 72, Jimenez 83, Costa 87)

Dec 26: Fulham 1 (Sessegnon 74) Wolves 1 (Saiss 85)

Dec 21: Wolves 0 Liverpool 2 (Salah 18, Van Dijk 68)

Past five meetings

Aug 25, 2018 (PL): Wolves 1 (Boly 57) Man City 1 (Laporte 69)

Oct 24, 2017 (EFL Cup): Man City 0 Wolves 0 (4-1 on pens)

Apr 22, 2012 (PL): Wolves 0 Man City 2 (Aguero 27, Nasri 74)

Oct 29, 2011 (PL): Man City 3 (Dzeko 52, Kolarov 67, Johnson 90) Wolves 1 (Hunt pen 75)

Oct 26, 2011 (EFL Cup): Wolves 2 (Milijas 18, O'Hara 65) Man City 5 (Johnson 37, Nasri 39, Dzeko 40, 64, De Vries OG 50)

Referee

Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)

Kicked off the season with three red cards in four matches, including one for Everton's Phil Jagielka at Wolves on the opening day, but no reds since and indeed no cards at all during his last Wolves game, the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on December 21.

Match odds

Man City 2/11, draw 7/1, Wolves 16/1