The 2025–26 Premier League season is underway and Molineux will stage one of Saturday’s headline fixtures as Wolverhampton Wanderers take on Manchester City. Wolves are beginning a new era under Vítor Pereira, while Man City aim to bounce back from a disappointing campaign in which they lost their league crown and failed in both domestic and European cups. Both teams enter this match with different ambitions but a common need to establish momentum early in the season.
When & where? / Kick-off details
Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Kick-off time: 5.30 p.m. BST / 12.30 p.m. ET / 9.30 a.m. PT
Stadium: Molineux, Wolverhampton
Referee: Jarred Gillett
VAR: Michael Salisbury
Team news
Wolves are without Yerson Mosquera but otherwise have a relatively healthy squad. Pereira could hand debuts to Jhon Arias, Fer López and David Møller Wolfe. Ki-Jana Hoever is expected to start at right wing-back, with Strand Larsen leading the line after a productive pre-season in front of goal.
Manchester City have Rodri back in the matchday squad, although the Spaniard may not be risked from the start after his injury setback. Mateo Kovačić and Joško Gvardiol remain sidelined, while Savinho and Ederson are unavailable. Guardiola could use this fixture to integrate summer signings Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki, alongside Rayan Aït-Nouri who could debut against his former club.
Tactical analysis
Pereira’s Wolves are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, looking to stay compact and hit on the counter. With Arias and López offering creativity in advanced roles, Wolves may look to exploit the space left by City’s high defensive line. However, their defensive record in pre-season raises questions about whether they can cope with sustained pressure.
Manchester City will seek control through their midfield quartet, with Reijnders adding progression and Bernardo Silva providing balance between midfield and attack. Haaland’s presence remains central, but Guardiola may also look to test Wolves’ wide areas, particularly down the left with Aït-Nouri pushing forward. The match could hinge on whether Wolves’ midfield duo can disrupt City’s rhythm long enough to create counter-attacking opportunities.
Key players
- José Sá (Wolves): Likely to be busy in goal, his shot-stopping will be crucial if Wolves are to stay competitive against City’s attack.
- João Gomes (Wolves): Provides energy and ball-winning ability in midfield, essential in halting City’s possession dominance.
- Tijjani Reijnders (Manchester City): A summer signing who has already impressed, his passing range could help City break Wolves’ defensive structure.
- Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City): Facing his former club, his attacking runs from full-back may give City another dimension on the left flank.
Predicted lineups
Wolves predicted lineup vs Man City: Sá; Doherty, Agbadou, Toti; Hoever, André, J. Gomes, Wolfe; Arias, López; Strand Larsen.
Manchester City predicted lineup vs Wolves: Trafford; Nunes, Dias, Akanji, Aït-Nouri; Reijnders, González; Cherki, Silva, Marmoush; Haaland.
Conclusion / Prediction
Wolves are in transition under a new coach and their pre-season results highlight the defensive challenges that remain. Manchester City are also adapting with several new arrivals and a reshaped midfield, but Guardiola’s side should have enough quality to overcome a Wolves team still searching for cohesion. It may not be a free-flowing display from City so early in the season, but they are favourites to secure the points.
Prediction: Wolves 0–1 Manchester City
