City to get past Wolves in a professional manner
Manchester City host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday in looking to close the gap to Arsenal at the summit.
Pep Guardiola’s men are still yet to play the Gunners, but they may have to win both matches against the North Londoners if they are to claim a third straight league title.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have picked up as was to be expected under Julen Lopetegui, and they have somehow made their way to 16th place in the league, despite having only scored 12 goals in 19 league outings - half a season.
City are strong favourites for the match as expected, but the schedule could lead this one towards a lower scoring affair.
Process
Lopetegui’s main strength at Sevilla was setting them up to be very defensively solid and the Spaniard had a tremendous impact on the likes of Diego Carlos and Jules Kounde, while Bono rose to prominence between the sticks.
Wolves are going to strengthen this month and would expect to push themselves up towards mid table at some stage, but it feels like defensive solidity will be crucial to that, with the goals still yet to start flying in.
City’s backline has not been as impenetrable as it has been in recent seasons, they have allowed chances on their own goal at an average of 1.02 expected goals (xG) against so far, with Guardiola appearing to rotate at centre back quite a lot.
Wolves are hampered by their injury list, but do have players who can hurt City in transition.
Boubacar Traore, Chiquinho, Pedro Neto and Sasa Kalajdzic will miss out at the Etihad Stadium while Diego Costa is doubtful.
John Stones and Ruben Dias will likely miss out for City, but they do have the depth to cope, especially considering how poor Wolves will be going forward.
Goals?
Under 2.5 may be a worthwhile selection but hard to feel comfortable with as City are involved, I am combining a goals bet with an outright angle.
City have scored in nine of ten.
City have conceded in seven of ten.
City have seen both teams score in six of ten.
City have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
Wolves have scored in eight of ten.
Wolves have conceded in seven of ten.
Wolves have seen both teams score in five of ten.
Wolves have seen over 2.5 goals in three of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Erling Haaland hat-trick gets this winner up.