Manchester City vs Wolves prediction, odds and betting tips

Manchester City can move to within two points of top spot in the Premier League with a victory over relegation-threatened Wolves on Sunday.

Manchester City vs Wolves odds

Here are the latest match odds for Manchester City vs Wolves from bet365.

• Manchester City: 1/5
• Draw: 7/1
• Wolves: 10/1

Best bookies to bet on Manchester City vs Wolves

Manchester City vs Wolves predictions

Manchester City came from two goals behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 in a thrilling encounter on Thursday night. 

The victory moved the Premier League champions to within five points of Arsenal in first place, but Pep Guardiola was not entirely happy with what he saw from his team.

Guardiola tore into his players after the game, accusing them of having lost their “passion, fire and desire to win”. Even the supporters did not escape his ire, with the City boss bemoaning the fact “they were silent for 45 minutes”.

The outcome of Sunday’s meeting with Wolves depends largely on how the team reacts to their very public dressing-down.

Guardiola is one of a handful of Premier League managers who has the authority to publicly criticise both his players and the supporters, and he will want to see a reaction from both this weekend.

The chances are he will get it. City played well in the second half against Spurs and they now have the chance to pile the pressure on Arsenal, whose game against Manchester United will kick off a few minutes after the final whistle at the Etihad Stadium.

Wolves have improved under Julen Lopetegui and now look well placed to avoid relegation to the Championship, but denying City a win here will be tricky.

Manchester City vs Wolves betting tips

Wolves are not as easy to beat as they were earlier in the campaign, but Manchester City should prove too strong on Sunday afternoon.

Manchester City win both halves – 5/4 (bet365)

It was hard to disagree with Guardiola’s assessment of his side after the Tottenham game. City have indeed been sloppy in recent weeks, dropping points in three of their last six Premier League matches. 

The champions still have an excellent chance of retaining the title. But it is not surprising that Guardiola is not altogether satisfied with how the campaign is going.

City are on course for 84 points as things stand. By their incredibly high standards, that represents a drop-off from previous years. 

After a 3-2 home defeat by Tottenham last February, City went 12 matches unbeaten to pip Liverpool to the title. Guardiola’s side are more than capable of going on a similar run over the next few weeks.

With their manager’s words still ringing in the players’ ears, we expect City to make a fast start on Sunday. Wolves will have to withstand heavy pressure in the opening stages – and that is easier said than done if City can build up a head of steam.

Wolves have lost just one of their four league games under Lopetegui – and even that was a narrow reverse to Manchester United.

However, this could be a long afternoon for a team that has won just one of its nine away fixtures this term.

Manchester City over 2.5 goals – 5/6 (bet365)

For all their apparent issues, Manchester City have had few problems putting the ball in the back of the net this season. 

With 50 goals in their first 19 games, City are by some distance the highest scorers in the division. Their tally at the midway point of the campaign is an improvement on last term, when they had 48 goals at this stage.

Erling Haaland has been a revelation following his move from Borussia Dortmund. He has found the back of the net 22 times already and will almost certainly win the Golden Boot in his maiden season in the Premier League.

City are also creating the best chances. They sit top of the expected goals table, ahead of Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United (in that order).

City are especially prolific at the Eithad Stadium: they are averaging a remarkable 3.5 goals per home game in 2022/23.

For a team that finds itself at the wrong end of the table, Wolves have been reasonably solid at the back this season. With 27 goals conceded, their defensive ranking is middling.

They could struggle to keep the score down on Sunday, however.

Riyad Mahrez to score any time – 15/8 (bet365)

Riyad Mahrez was the star of the show against Tottenham. 

The Algeria international provided the assist for both of City’s first two goals as the home team restored parity. He then scored twice himself to wrap up a come-from-behind victory which could prove to be decisive in the title race.

Mahrez is not the biggest star at the Etihad. He is not even a guaranteed starter when fully fit in the way Kevin De Bruyne and Haaland are.

But the former Leicester City man has been largely excellent since his switch to Manchester four and a half years ago. 

Mahrez got into double figures for Premier League goals last season and that is what he will be targeting this time around too.

Guardiola will not drop him after his display in midweek, and Mahrez looks like excellent value to find the back of the net any time. 

The Algerian will be full of confidence after his exploits against Tottenham and, with City set to dominate possession, he should get plenty of chances to take his tally for the season to five – and perhaps even beyond.

How to watch Manchester City vs Wolves

• Location: Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England.
• Date and time: Sunday 22 January 2023, 2pm.
• How to watch: Not being shown in the UK.

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