Manchester City are in the form of their life right now and the game against Wolves tonight provides a chance for them to equal their own unbeaten record.
That figure stands at 28 unbeaten games in a row in all competitions.
Pep Guardiola’s side will also be looking to extend their 12 point gap at the top of the table.
With virtually no injuries, a full squad of talent to choose from and a team that looks almost unbeatable right now, it’s a good time to be a City fan.
MATCHDAY! 🔵🆚🐺
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klUGiM pic.twitter.com/DZArxgbm5r
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 2, 2021
Breakdown
🙅♂️ @ManCity haven’t trailed for a single minute in any of their last 18 #PL matches
If they continue that run against Wolves, they will equal Arsenal’s record of 19 consecutive #PL matches without falling behind, set in the 1998/99 season#MCIWOL pic.twitter.com/VtLfugUjlD
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 2, 2021
Wolves have come to the Etihad before and come away with all three points against all the odds, but this current side without the spearhead of Raul Jiménez looks a much less threatening side.
With only two away wins in the last 10 for Wolves, it seems highly unlikely of seeing an upset we saw in October 2019.
There’s also no Willy Boly or Daniel Podence too which takes away the attacking threat and the physicality at the back.
The stage seems set for another City masterclass.
Team Selection Dilemma
Pep Guardiola says Sergio Aguero's legacy at Manchester City doesn't earn him a starting spot:
“He knows it from day one, the guys who play deserve to play.
“From day one all my message is: 'What we did two hours ago is over.' It’s not just for Sergio – it's for everyone."
— Goal (@goal) March 1, 2021
There’s an embarrassment of riches at City and the question seems to be what line-up will we see against Wolves?
Sergio Aguero started his first game since October against West Ham at the weekend and struggled against a well set up unit.
There feels like a real outcry for Guardiola to re-integrate the Argentinian back into the side following his return from injury however, in their unbeaten run they’ve operated mainly without a recognised number nine and been incredibly successful.
Bringing him will alter how City play slightly, but there’s a very strong case for giving one of the best strikers in Premier League history his position back.
However, Wolves displayed a solid defensive setup with three at the back and he struggled to really be involved in the game against the same setup against West Ham.
It is important to consider that they had come off the back of a Champions League win away at Borussia Monchengladbach and it clearly had an effect on their performance. Therefore, we should see a sharper, more precise City in this game.
You imagine the selection for this game will be influenced by the game at the weekend against United. Therefore, I expect to see some changes and rotation in the midfield to attacking positions. The one constant at the moment is the defensive setup, especially at centre back.
Joao Cancelo may be rested, considering how key he has been all season and Kyle Walker and Oleksandr Zinchenko more than viable options at full-back.
If Aguero doesn’t start, then perhaps Southampton at home on the 10th March may be a more suitable game for him to fully find his feet but I’m sure he will feature against Wolves and United in some capacity.
The manager’s Quotes
“As much as we win and as much as we get results, as much we have to demand and be over the players and say we can do better"
Pep knows there can be no let-up in the pursuit of success! 💪
🗣 @marathonbet
🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klUGiMhttps://t.co/TBd3QKwEY5— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 1, 2021
Guardiola has spoken about his team’s mentality and their focus and claims his side won’t let up in the pursuit of success.
“I think we were consistent in many, many of the last four years. It is always nice, but it is the next game – we’re not thinking about it.
“We are here to try and win the titles.
“The people demand this and for this we have to win the next game.”
Despite the accolades, fan reaction and compliments from the footballing world, he insists there is still improvements that can be made.
“I said before, we are delighted with what we have done so far. We cannot deny it.
“No team has done it before. That shows how difficult it is.
“We are so happy, but at the end what counts is the trophies. We have a lot of work to do and I think we can still improve.”
Opposition manager Nuno Espirito Santo spoke about utilising his side’s strength’s rather than focusing more on the opposition.
“Their run is because of hard work, quality, dedication, but mainly and more than anything, talent. The talent of the players that they have, it’s fantastic.
“It requires a lot of discipline, balance, it requires cover, focus, determination to reducing distances, but Man City will create a lot of questions and a lot of problems to us which we have to find ourselves solutions and give answers to it.
“First and foremost, we must prepare ourselves for a very difficult challenge, because it’s going to be very tough. We’re going to face Man City, a fantastic team, talented squad, always good ideas in their approach of the game.”
