#1 A platform to build on
For the first time this season, Wolves are searching for back-to-back victories in the Premier League this weekend, but it’ll be no easy task against the reigning champions. Bruno Lage’s side beat Southampton two weeks ago, and following last week’s Liverpool postponement, that remains their most recent outing, providing something to build on against City. That afternoon against Southampton brought plenty of positives – the club’s first league win of the campaign, a third clean sheet and second goal for Daniel Podence.
One recurring factor during the last seven Premier League fixtures has been the lack of a second-half goal for Wolves – the old gold’s longest run in the competition. The last Wolves goal after the break came at the end of last season as Rayan Ait-Nouri headed home in front of the South Bank. They worked their way into a number of promising positions after the interval a fortnight ago without reward – what better time to change that than against City?
#2 Classic City clashes
Each time City fixtures roll around, it’s impossible not to reference the memorable campaign of 2019/20, when Wolves sensationally completed the double over Pep Guardiola’s side. Adama Traore’s masterclass at the Etihad in the October goes down as one of Wolves’ greatest away games of the modern era, while the return fixture had Molineux at its very best. A stirring atmosphere provided the perfect setting for a stunning comeback from two goals down, with Matt Doherty firing home an 89th minute winner in front of a lively South Bank.
Unfortunately, since then, all four meetings have fallen the way of the Citizens. Raul Jimenez and Conor Coady scored in lockdown defeats, while last season a narrow defeat in Manchester was followed by Kevin De Bruyne’s fine performance at Molineux. That meeting in May was the 16th between the two clubs in the Premier League. In those fixtures, Wolves have scored 19, won four and kept two clean sheets in that period. Aside from the Traore show, the other three wins came at Molineux in 2003, 2010 and 2019 – time for number four?
We can't host Man City without a rewatch of this classic.
— Wolves (@Wolves) September 15, 2022
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#3 How the squad is shaping up
On Friday afternoon, Lage confirmed striker Raul Jimenez will miss the fixture – “he is not available and not working with the team. He needs time to recover and is having some treatment”. That news, coupled with Sasa Kalajdzic’s long-term injury, means Wolves are thin on the ground for centre forwards. Diego Costa was welcomed to the club recently, and is fit, but the head coach insists he needs time to be ready to compete in the Premier League. Should he be unavailable to start on the weekend, Lage is likely to start an attacker less familiar with the central role. Hee Chan Hwang began the season there, while Goncalo Guedes continued the role at Tottenham Hotspur, so are genuine options – likewise Pedro Neto, Daniel Podence and Adama Traore have all played more central roles in their time at Wolves.
The attacking positions isn’t the only area Lage must decide on. The Portuguese has three very capable full-backs at his disposal – Jonny is equally comfortable on each side, meaning he competes with both Nelson Semedo and Rayan Ait-Nouri, but only two from three are likely to start against City. Like Costa, Boubacar Traore is yet to make his Wolves debut, but Lage declared him “ready” so he comes into contention for one of the midfielder spots, and following Leander Dendoncker’s departure, would be a welcome addition to Lage’s squad.
#4 Molineux set to pay respect
Molineux will pay respect to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II ahead of the game. The Premier League have aligned plans across the weekend and supporters heading to Molineux are advised to arrive early. The usual pre-match entertainment, music and handshakes will all be removed pre-match, before both clubs take part in a minute’s silence, before a live performance of the National Anthem, sang by Samantha Oxborough. Following that performance, both teams will move to their respective ends ahead of the usual pre-match coin toss and kick-off.
Then, to mark the Queen’s 70-year reign, all of Molineux will join together for a one-minute applause in the 70th minute. The big screens and LED boards will be dedicated to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Wolves hope all inside Molineux join the tributes in honour of the extraordinary life and contribution to the nation made by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
