Julian Alvarez to START this weekend, Ruben Dias to return - Predicted XI: Wolves vs Manchester City (Premier League)

Off the back of a heroic comeback against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night, Manchester City will be brimming with confidence ahead of their upcoming clash against Wolves.

However, the Premier League champions will also want to put things right, after being held to a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa in their last league fixture.

With Bruno Lage’s side sitting 14th in the table after a relatively poor start to the 2022/23 season, the Sky Blues will be backing themselves to get the job done against them on Saturday afternoon.

However, that is certainly easier said than done at Molineux, especially after the blockbuster additions of Matheus Nunes, Diego Costa, and Goncalo Guedes late in the summer transfer window.

In a clash between one of the division’s best attacks versus one of it’s standout defences, here is how we expected Manchester City to line-up in the Midlands.

Predicted Team

If there’s one place in this Manchester City side that is guaranteed, it is Ederson’s spot in goal.

Joao Cancelo could reclaim his place at right-back, with Kyle Walker still not fully in contention to make the matchday squad, despite Pep Guardiola revealing on Friday afternoon that he was 'getting better'.

Read Pep Guardiola's full Manchester City fitness update here!

After scoring a belter against Borussia Dortmund mid-week, John Stones will undoubtedly keep his place in the side, but possibly shift to his usual centre-back position at Molineux.

John Stones, Manchester City.

Ruben Dias looks likely to return to proceedings, after being afforded a breather against the Bundesliga side on Wednesday night.

Nathan Ake could keep his place, but move over to left-back, considering Pep Guardiola’s unwillingness to test Sergio Gomez from the off in the Premier League so far.

Despite Kalvin Phillips getting a few minutes under his belt in the previous encounter, Rodri is more likely to start once again as City aim to end the first segment of the season in winning fashion.

Rodri applauds the travelling Manchester City fans at West Ham. (Action Plus Sports Images / Alamy)

After making a fruitful contribution to Manchester City’s comeback against Edin Terzic’s side from the bench, Bernardo Silva could replace Ilkay Gundogan in midfield.

Taking home his second successive Man of the Match award in the Champions League against the German side, Kevin De Bruyne will likely start for Pep Guardiola’s side on Saturday afternoon.

With both Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez adding a ton of energy to Manchester City’s limp display as substitutes against Dortmund, the pair may be selected as the wide pair against Wolves.

After doing his best impression of Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Johan Cruyff with an acrobatic winner against his former side, it is a no-brainer to start the inevitable Erling Haaland.

Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez.

Starting XI: Ederson; Joao Cancelo, John Stones, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake; Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne; Julian Alvarez, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden.

Substitutes: Stefan Ortega Moreno, Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, Josh-Wilson Esbrand, Kalvin Phillips, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish, Cole Palmer, Riyad Mahrez.