Game Week 23 Predictions: Manchester City to beat Wolves

FA Cup preview: PL giants enter – Man Utd vs Brighton, Spurs vs Villa, Newcastle vs Bournemouth, Everton vs Sunderland; upsets loom.

Manchester City must beat Wolves to avoid Arsenal running away from them in the title race. (Photo credit: BBC)

 Manchester City vs Wolves

Etihad Stadium

4:00pm

Manchester City has the opportunity of heaping pressure on Arsenal by cutting the league leaders’ advantage at the top to four points, but the Cityzens must do what they haven’t done in their last four games, which is to win a Premier League game.

Three straight draws and then a loss at Old Trafford last weekend sent City seven points off the pace when they were even ahead of the Gunners, albeit after playing a game more. Pep Guardiola and his team must get a grip as we head into the business end of the season.

It’s clearly too little too late for Wolves, but they’re not yet out of the survival equation mathematically. They’re six points off Burnley, who sits in 19th; nine points off West Ham in 18th; and most importantly, they’re 14 points off Nottingham Forest, who occupies the 17th spot, which is the survival point.

Rob Edwards has done an impressive job since his return, but there’s so much ground to cover for a team that didn’t win a game until the 20th round of games. A trip to the Etihad at this stage represents hopelessness, but Manchester City hasn’t been the same in recent weeks.

Injuries have depleted the former champions, but the arrival of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi could offer some cushions, especially defensively. With injuries to John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, Manchester City’s back line needs help, and they will hope the Crystal Palace man fills in well.

What’s there to expect from this fixture? Manchester City, playing at home against the bottom club, should be straightforward, but considering how the Cityzens have been in their last four league games and how they were embarrassed by Bodo Glimt in the Champions League, Wolves would fancy their chances.

Erling Haaland is struggling to find the back of the net, and that explains why Manchester City aren’t winning games yet. You don’t want to bet against the Norwegian not to score in this one. He enjoys playing against Wolves, and he was on target in the reverse fixture.

How can Wolves earn anything from this one? They must stay compact, disciplined and accountable in their possessions. They will get few chances; they must take them or be roundly punished. Manchester City needs half a chance; Wolves must be attentive in all phases.

Watch out for young Mateus Mane; the lad has been impressive for Wolves and leading from the wings. Tolu Arokodare could be a menace too, but the visitors will have to pay attention to the trickery of Rayan Cherki and any of the wingers Guardiola picks to start the game.

Verdict: Straight win for Manchester City