A Curious Tie: Manchester City Hosting Wolves

Pep Guardiola’s side are winless in their last four in the Premier League and host a Wolves team that are unbeaten across the same period.

Less than a month ago, this fixture would have offered up a totally different prospect. City had closed the gap at the top of the table to just two points and were hot on the heels of Arsenal. Wolves, meanwhile, were on course to set the record for the Premier League’s lowest ever points tally, having failed to win in their opening 19 matches.

However, following 11 consecutive league defeats, Rob Edwards has finally able to rally his side after Christmas. Wolves are now unbeaten in their last five in all competitions and have picked up more points than City in the new year.

Guardiola’s side have so far failed to record a league victory in four attempts in 2026 – form that is bordering on capitulation for the title hopefuls. A dismal display in their derby day defeat at Old Trafford was only worsened by a midweek European loss to Bodø/Glimt, who enjoyed their maiden Champions League victory against the Blues.

The result and performance was so disappointing against the Norwegian minnows that City’s captaincy group (Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Erling Haaland and Rodri) felt it necessary to refund traveling supporters out of their own pocket.

“It feels like everything is going wrong,” Guardiola confessed after his side’s defeat in the Arctic Circle on Tuesday evening. “Many details are going against us and that is a fact and you have to try to change it.”

It was a poignant admission from the coach, but it remains to be seen whether the Catalan maverick can find solutions like he so often has in the past. Aside from their domestic cup matches, City have failed to score more than one goal in any game in the new year. Even the usually free-scoring Haaland has gone eight matches without finding the net in open play.

Crystal Palace signing Marc Guéhi is in line to make his debut, but Injuries to Josko Gvardiol, Ruben Dias and John Stones have left Guardiola seriously short-handed at the back. City have been forced to start the young duo of Max Alleyne (20-years-old) and Abdukodir Khusanov (21-years-old, pictured below) in each of their last five matches.

An inexperienced defence has also not been aided by a midfield in front of them that has often been overrun. With Nico Gonzalez sidelined and Mateo Kovacić’s continued absence, Rodri has been Guardiola’s only option in holding midfield. However, possibly lacking full fitness, the Spaniard has struggled to cover ground like he once did – an ability that is absolutely critical for any successful holding midfielder. The recent Ballon D’Or winner is still far from his best after returning from his long-term absence with an ACL injury.

Put simply City are giving up chances too easily and failing to sufficiently create and capitalize on their own chances – a recipe for disaster at any level of football.

City have already acted with intent in the January transfer window, bringing two new recruits to the Etihad that should ease their woes at both ends of the pitch.

Antoine Semenyo was first through the door, and he hit the ground running with two man of the match displays in the FA Cup and then League Cup. Although the Ghana international was on the pitch at Old Trafford, he can perhaps be excused an underwhelming performance on a day where the rest of his teammates were also not at the races.

Since he cannot yet be registered to their Champions League squad, Semenyo was unable to feature in midweek, and neither was the Blues’ most recent signing Guéhi. City were able to land the English international at a reduced fee, thanks to his expiring deal at Crystal Palace, and despite interest from a host of other top European clubs. The centre-back arrives at the perfect time for Guardiola and is expected to slot straight into his backline for his debut this weekend.

The return of Rayan Aït-Nouri and Omar Marmoush from Afcon should also serve to bolster City in both defensive and attacking departments. The Blues’ squad should be the strongest it has been in well over a month come Saturday. It is crucial that Guardiola’s side stop the rot and return to winning ways at the Etihad, but their opponents are unlikely to roll over for them.

There was certainly no ‘new manager bounce’ to be seen when Edwards took over at Molineux, but the Englishman seems to have turned the corner in recent weeks. Wolves picked up an unexpected point at Old Trafford, which contributed to the end of Ruben Amorim, and acted as a catalyst for the team rooted to the bottom of the table.

A comfortable 3-0 victory over West Ham followed, and all of a sudden the side, which had been utterly devoid of confidence, was reinvigorated with a new sense of belief. Their new found form was continued with solid draws against Everton and Newcastle.

If the league table started from January 1st, Wolves would be flying high in third position. However, unfortunately for them, that is not the reality of their situation. They remain 14 points adrift of safety, with a fairly strong Nottingham Forest outfit being the team one spot above the drop.

This position has perhaps aided Edwards’ side in a strange way – with all hope of survival lost, they have been allowed to play without hindrance from any kind of pressure. It has often been said that the most dangerous opponent is one with nothing to lose – Guardiola will hope that is not proven true at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon.