Manchester City will look to move one step closer to a fourth consecutive Premier League triumph on another huge day in the title race. Pep Guardiola’s second-place side went into the weekend sitting one point adrift at the summit with a game in hand after five straight top-flight wins, but that deficit has now stretched to four after leaders Arsenal beat Bournemouth 3-0 at home in the lunchtime kick-off.
City remain in pole position as they seek a sixth title in the last seven years, but must beat Wolves this evening to maintain their advantage heading into the final stretch. Guardiola is hugely boosted for this game by the returns of key trio Ederson, Phil Foden and Ruben Dias, who have shaken off injury and illness respectively.
Wolves’ selection crisis is now finally easing as they compete for a top-half finish in the final weeks of the campaign, though manager Gary O’Neil will be absent from the touchline today as he serves a one-match FA suspension. Follow Man City vs Wolves live with Standard Sport below!
Man City vs Wolves latest news
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Man City lineup: Foden and Haaland return to starting XI
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Wolves team news: Neto misses out
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Kick-off time: 5.30pm BST, Etihad Stadium
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How to watch: Sky Sports
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Score prediction
One changes for Wolves as Neto misses out
16:44 , Adam Pogrund
Gary O’Neil has only made one change to the last week’s starting lineup. Hugo Bueno replaces Matt Doherty in defence.
Pedro Neto, who had been tipped to return for the first time since March, is still unavailable.
Ait-Nouri starts despite concerns over his fitness following a knock against Luton.
Three changes for City
16:40 , Adam Pogrund
Pep Guardiola makes three changes to the team that beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 last weekend.
Phil Foden returns from illness, and Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovacic also start.
They replace Jack Grealish, Julian Alvarez, and Jeremy Doku.
Matheus Nunes is on the bench against his former side.
Wolves full lineup
16:32 , Adam Pogrund
Manchester City full lineup
16:32 , Adam Pogrund
Your City side for #MCIWOL 🩵
XI | Ederson, Walker (C), Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Foden, Bernardo, Haaland
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Dias, Stones, Grealish, Doku, Alvarez, Gomez, Nunes, Lewis#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/xgEh7s59fO
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 4, 2024
Wolves XI
16:32 , Adam Pogrund
Sa, Semedo, Toti, Kilman (C), Bueno, Traore, Gomes, Lemina, Ait-Nouri, Hwang, Cunha
Manchester City XI
16:30 , Adam Pogrund
Ederson, Walker (C), Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol, Rodrigo, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Foden, Bernardo, Haaland
Last time out
16:24 , Adam Pogrund
Wolves triumphed 2-1 over City in the return fixture back in September.
Hwang Hee-Chan scored the winner after a Ruben Dias own goal opened the scoring. Julian Alvarez was on the scoresheet for Guardiola’s side.
The treble winners have only lost two Premier League matches since, and are unbeaten in the league in 2024.
A win for Wolves would given them their first double over City since 1961.
Tommy Doyle makes Wolves move permanent
16:09 , Adam Pogrund
Tommy Doyle, who is ineligible to face his parent club today, made his move to Molineux permanent this week.
The 22-year-old will join Wolves at the end of the season for £4.3 million.
Doyle was part of the England U21 side that won last year’s U21 European Championships.
The midfielder has been at City since 2009 and is the grandson of two former Manchester City players, Glyn Pardoe and Mike Doyle.
Gary O’Neil touchline ban
15:59 , Adam Pogrund
The Wolves boss will be forced to watch today’s game from the stands after receiving a one match touchline ban due to his conduct during a 2-1 defeat against West Ham in April.
O’Neil was angry after Max Kilman’s 99th-minute leveller was ruled out by VAR.
He was charged with “improper and/or threatening” behaviour relating his alleged language “around the match officials’ changing room”, and also received an £8,000 fine.
Guardiola says City need flawless finish
15:51 , Adam Pogrund
Pep Guardiola admitted yesterday that City can’t drop a single point if they want to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title.
“We know we have to win and do all 12 points, otherwise it will be difficult because Arsenal are so strong, and so consistent. It’s difficult to drop points,” he said
“I would love to say what we have done in the past is going to happen this season but nobody knows.”
The Spaniard also spoke about the welcome midweek break, with City having a full week off as a result of being knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in April.
“It was good. We had days off and then three really good training sessions. We have fresh legs and minds and are ready for the game tomorrow.”
Manchester City vs Wolves score prediction
15:36 , Adam Pogrund
City have won their last five Premier League matches in a row and cannot afford to drop points after Arsenal’s win over Bournemouth. Wolves should not pose too difficult a test for the reigning champions.
Manchester City to win, 4-1.
Wolves team news
15:29 , Adam Pogrund
Wolves have struggled with injuries this season but will welcome the news that Pedro Neto looks set to return to Gary O’Neil’s lineup.
The Portuguese winger injured his hamstring against Fulham in March and has been kept out of Premier League action since.
Rayan Ait-Nouri is a doubt for the visitors after suffering a knock against Luton.
Craig Dawson and Leon Chiwome are out.
Tommy Doyle will not feature as he is ineligible to face his parent club.
Manchester City team news
15:20 , Adam Pogrund
Manchester City have a clean bill of health ahead of tonight’s clash.
Phil Foden and Ruben Dias have both recovered from illnesses which ruled the pair out of last week’s win against Nottingham Forest.
Ederson was forced off against Forest last weekend with a shoulder problem, but should return tonight. “[It] looked worse [than it was],” Guardiola said. “He trained yesterday, he looks good.”
Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland is also fit. The striker came off the bench against Forest to score his 21st league goal of the season, having missed the previous encounter with Brighton.
How to watch Manchester City vs Wolves
15:09 , Adam Pogrund
TV channel: Manchester City vs Wolves will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League. Coverage starts at 5pm BST.
Live stream: Subscribers will also be able to watch on a live stream online via the SkyGo app.
Manchester City vs Wolves live
15:03 , Adam Pogrund
Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Manchester City vs Wolves in the Premier League.
Manchester City host Wolves in a crucial end of season encounter this evening. Pep Guardiola’s side must win if they are to keep speed in the final stages of the title race. Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Bournemouth earlier today means City are now four points off the Gunners, albeit with two crucial games in hand.
Wolves sit comfortably in mid-table and are looking for their second consecutive league win after beating Luton last weekend.
Kick-off today is at 5:30pm BST. Stay here for live updates and all the latest team news.
