Ederson benched, Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku to start – Predicted XI: Manchester City vs Wolves (Premier League)

Manchester City continue their journey on the road to a fourth successive Premier League title, as they welcome Wolves to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.

With only four games remaining in the league, the title race is reaching it’s natural conclusion, with the power currently in the hands of the blues, who are a point behind league leaders Arsenal with a game in hand over the gunners.

While the pressure is mounting, the blues are showing no signs of letting up, still yet to suffer a loss in the league in 2024, with a disappointing outing at Villa Park in December the last time Manchester City tasted defeat.

Things are only improving for the blues, with Pep Guardiola confirming that Erling Haaland is “ready” to start this one, with Ruben Dias and Phil Foden feeling “fine” after being out ill against Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Pep Guardiola’s counterpart and Wolves manager Gary O’Neil will be suspended for this game, as he serves a one-match touchline ban following his antics against West Ham in April, including “foul language” and “improper behaviour.”

Despite this, the Wolves manager remains hopeful for this weekend, saying during his press conference, “Three points would be massive to us, or a point would be massive. We’re trying to finish as high up in the table as possible.”

The Englishman has also confirmed a couple of his key players have returned to training, including Pedro Neto – which gives the away side a massive bolster heading into a mammoth challenge.

Manchester City, of course, remain heavy favourites for this one, and with that being said, here is the side we expect to take on this fixture, getting revenge following the defeat at Molineux and inching closer to the Premier League title this season.

Predicted XI

Pep Guardiola confirmed that Ederson has trained and is back in contention to start following his injury last weekend, but we suspect no chances will be taken, with Stefan Ortega starting between the sticks.

It is fair to say captain Kyle Walker looked rather ‘leggy’ in the last outing against Nottingham Forest, so we think the ever-reliable Manuel Akanji might take his place on the right side of defence.

John Stones has trained all week without problem, and having been kept somewhat distanced from consistent match action in recent weeks, we think the Englishman will return to the fray partnering Ruben Dias at the back.

Josko Gvardiol is in fine goal scoring form with three goals in his last five appearances, and looking stronger in the left-back role with each passing contest. We think the Croatian keeps his place in the side, completing the back four for this one.

Rodri will start at the base of midfield.

Kevin De Bruyne assisted both goals in the 0-2 win at the City Ground last weekend, and we think the Belgian playmaker will keep his place in the City midfield, partnering Phil Foden for this one.

Despite being substituted at half-time against Nottingham Forest for tactical reasons, we think Jeremy Doku might keep his place in the side, with Bernardo Silva getting a rest as a direct result.

Erling Haaland was back with a bang from the bench against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, but has confirmed he is now “back and ready to attack”. He will start this one, being hungry in the race for the Golden Boot.

Jack Grealish should keep his place in the side and operate on the left of Manchester City’s front-three, completing Pep Guardiola’s line-up for this crucial fixture against Wolves on Saturday evening.

Predicted XI: Ortega Moreno; Akanji, Stones, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, De Bruyne, Foden; Doku, Haaland, Grealish.

Substitutes: Ederson, Walker, Lewis, Ake, Kovacic, Nunes, Bernardo, Bobb, Alvarez.