Manchester City will win the hard way against Wolves
Manchester City’s latest Premier League challenge comes against newcomers Wolves.
It is the first time the Sky Blues will face a promoted side this season, and despite the expectations pointing to a third City victory in as many games, a Portuguese-fuelled Wolves could prove difficult opponents for the champions.
The Midlands club were unfortunate not to come away from the King Power Stadium with more than a defeat, as two fortuitous Leicester goals and a collection of squandered opportunities ensured Nuno Espirito Santo’s men were given the hardest pill to swallow – which will swiftly become common in the harsh conditions of the Premier League.
Wolves will be smarting from their maiden top flight loss, and will relish the chance to perturb England’s prime club. The two sides met last season in the Carabao Cup, and Wolves have far fonder memories of that occasion. City were frustrated at the Etihad by the then-Championship outfits, and it was that result which blemished the previously untroubled radiance the Sky Blues emanated under Guardiola.
It proved no less than a minor bump in the road, though, as City went on to lift the League Cup. Wolves will still utilise that match as a confidence booster ahead of a first league meeting with Manchester City since 2012. Sergio Aguero was on the scoresheet that day, and a replication of that wouldn’t come as a surprise.
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City, who hardly had their title-winning credentials scrutinised by opponents Arsenal and Huddersfield, could find Wolves a far more genuine banana skin.
The Championship winners are patiently waiting for their first victory since promotion from the second tier, and would treasure the memory forever if they overcame a City side possessing a current aura of invincibility.
A fervent Molineux will greet City with the hostile, intimidating atmosphere any promoted club would create, and it could make for an arduous afternoon for Pep Guardiola’s men, who have so far done things the serene way.
Wolves’ impressive armoury saw them sail through a notoriously competitive Championship, a division typically difficult to exit. They did it with verve.
Espirito Santo has since added to his squad, with Portuguese stalwarts Joao Moutinho and Rui Patricio injecting further southern European spice.
City certainly have their work cut out, however three wins out of three is certainly within reach.
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