As Wolverhampton Wanderers prepare to welcome Manchester City to Molineux for the Premier League season opener on Saturday, August 16, 2025, beneath the stark August skies, football returns full of fresh opportunities and fresh anxieties.
Wolves have undergone a dramatic transformation over the summer—saying goodbye to several established players while ushering in new faces to reshape their identity.
Manchester City, on the other hand, arrive heavyweights with a wealth of transfers but face their own turmoil, particularly in midfield, as key names await recovery. This fixture, therefore, promises intrigue beyond the usual narrative of underdogs versus the elite.
Prediction
The odds still lean heavily in Manchester City’s favor. With a vastly deeper squad, City are expected to dominate possession, press Wolves relentlessly, and convert their chances ruthlessly.
But Wolves—under Vítor Pereira’s stewardship—showed signs of resilience late last season, and their new recruits provide fresh ammunition upfront.
Considering City’s current midfield injury crisis, Wolves could find occasional joy on the break. Nonetheless, City’s class should prevail. A 2–1 away win feels like the most realistic outcome: City’s quality edging Wolves but with goals at both ends.
Head-to-head
In recent seasons, Manchester City have been a daunting challenge for Wolves. Historically, City hold the upper hand in meetings over the past decade—dominating possession, creating more chances, and generally winning head-to-head battles.
Wolves have occasionally struck back, but rarely with consistency. Many of those strong performances came during Cunha’s tenure—a player no longer at the club—so Wolves must find new ways to compete.
This opening match, then, will mark not only a continuation of that historical imbalance but also a test of a new Wolves-era spirit.
Possible line-ups
Wolves have ushered in key changes with several confirmed summer moves. Fer López, a young yet composed central midfielder from Celta Vigo, joined on June 20 for approximately £19.6 million.
Jørgen Strand Larsen, who impressed during a 2024–25 loan spell with 14 Premier League goals, was signed permanently on July 1 for around £23 million, extending to 2029. Jhon Arias, a versatile Colombian attacker from Fluminense, arrived on July 24 on a four-year deal, estimated at £19 million including add-ons.
David Møller Wolfe, a left-back from AZ, was signed for £10 million on August 2. Departures included Pablo Sarabia, Nelson Semedo, Matheus Cunha, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Justin Hubner, Craig Dawson, and others—leaving sizable voids in attacking and defensive experience.
Taking into account these exits and new additions, plus internal promotions like Emmanuel Agbadou who will likely partner in central defence, a plausible Wolves XI for the opener is: Sieiro in goal; Agbadou, another existing center-back, and Williams in the back line; Møller Wolfe at left wing-back, López and João Gomes in central midfield, with an existing right midfielder on the opposite flank; Arias and another attacking midfielder behind Strand Larsen up front.
City’s squad has been reinforced by signings such as left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri, midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, winger Rayan Cherki, goalkeeper James Trafford, and young talent Sverre Nypan, although several of these players were acquired primarily with future seasons in mind.
However, injuries have severely strained City’s midfield. Rodri will likely not be fit until after the September international break, due to a groin injury aggravated during the Club World Cup, despite making progress in training.
Mateo Kovacic faces two more months out recovering from Achilles surgery, pushing close to October for a possible return. Phil Foden is also doubtful, carrying an ankle knock that makes his involvement for the opener uncertain.
That leaves Nico González as arguably the only fully fit natural holding midfielder, with attacking midfielders like Ilkay Gundogan and new signing Tijjani Reijnders having to fill the holding role in Rodri’s absence.
A possible City XI might feature Trafford in goal; Aït-Nouri at left-back, Stones and either Dias or Gvardiol in central defence, with an established right-back completing the back line.
Reijnders, González, and Gundogan would form the midfield, with De Bruyne on the right, Cherki on the left, and a central striker leading the attack.
Depending on fitness, Gundogan may drop back further, and Guardiola could opt for two holding midfielders among Reijnders, González, and Gundogan to stabilise the centre.
Betting tips
This match represents a delicate balance between the elite and the rebuilt. Manchester City to win remains the safest bet, but overly inflated lines should be avoided given their midfield turbulence.
A City win with both teams to score could be smart, as Wolves’ new strike force carries a threat and City’s defensive gaps in transition may allow a goal.
The correct scoreline of 2–1 in City’s favour is appealing, as it accounts for Wolves finding the net while recognising City’s superior firepower.
Betting on both teams to score on its own also holds value, especially if the odds reflect City’s weakened spine. For those seeking higher risk and reward, wagering on Wolves to score first before being overrun could produce good returns, although it carries significant risk.