Manchester City vs. Wolves: Premier League betting odds, preview, and pick

For the first time all season, Manchester City are at the top of the Premier League table. The outright favorites before the season began might have had to wait until game 15 to get there, but now the Citizens and reigning champions are back on top, having picked up 35 points from a possible 45.

Saturday’s early kick-off sees Pep Guardiola’s men attempt to keep ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea when they welcome mid-table Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium.

On top for good?

City fans were shocked at the end of October when they saw their team lose 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace. Aymeric Laporte was sent off as Wilfried Zaha caused the Citizens all kinds of problems, and Palace shocked City. But Guardiola’s men have bounced back in style, winning the next seven games in all competitions.

In the league, they’ve now won seven of the last eight, including a dominant Manchester Derby win against United at Old Trafford. Pep has his team purring, and that Palace game was the only time they’ve failed to score in the last 10 league games.

Bernardo Silva has starred in recent weeks, with five goals in his last five league games, while Raheem Sterling has also rediscovered his form of last year, with four goals in his last six for City.

At the back, Ederson continues to be a rock between the sticks, and no team has conceded fewer goals than City this year (nine).

A win for City in the early game will put four points between them and their nearest title rivals, and pile the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea, who kick off later on.

Wolves lacking bite

Wolves are comfortably mid-table. Far enough away from the drop zone that relegation isn’t an issue, but equally they don’t look like a team that is suddenly going to be thrust into the hunt for a top-five finish.

After a fantastic spell between September and October, in which time Wolves won five of seven and picked up 16 points from a possible 21, Bruno Lage’s team have started to stumble, and scoring goals is becoming a huge issue.

Norwich are the only team who have scored fewer goals than Wolves (12), and Wanderers have managed an average of just 10.9 shots per game this season, the second lowest tally in the league.

Wolves have failed to score in more than half of their league games so far this season and are currently on a goal drought, which has ticked beyond five hours of football.

In their last three games, they’ve managed just five shots on target, and two of those games were against relegation-threatened Burnley and Norwich.

The other game was last week’s 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool. Wolves defended bravely and almost escaped with a point, had it not been for Divock Origi’s late winner.

Defense has been part of Wolves’ success this year, as only Man City, Chelsea, and Liverpool have a better record at the back.

Wanderers have conceded just 13 goals in 15 and have only conceded one goal in the last four games. They’ll need another excellent defensive display if they want to keep City out.

Manchester City and Wolves Betting Trends

• There have been Over 2.5 goals in eight of Manchester City’s 15 league games this season (53%)
• Both teams have scored in five of Manchester City’s 15 league games this season (33%)
• Both teams have scored in four of Wolves’ 15 league games this season (27%)
• There have been Over 2.5 goals in three of Wolves’ 15 league games this season (20%)
• Both teams have scored in four of the last six head-to-heads between these two teams (67%)
• There have been Over 2.5 goals in four of the last six head-to-heads between these two teams (67%)

City to extend their lead at the top

Wolves can make life difficult for Manchester City, as they’ve done for several top-half teams this year.

Liverpool, Leicester, Tottenham and Manchester United have all beaten Wolves this year by a scoreline of 1-0.

The season’s statistics suggest that this game won’t see too many goals, and a narrow City win is a smart play. Guardiola’s side are on a different level compared to a lot of their Premier League opposition and should beat Wolves at the Etihad without conceding.

Score prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Wolves (+480)

Manchester City vs. Wolves pick: Under 2.5 goals (+150)

Same Game Combo: Manchester City to win, Under 2.5 goals, Bernardo Silva to score (+1200)