Man City team news vs Wolves: Predicted XI as De Bruyne, Grealish and Foden decisions made

Manchester City return to action after the international break with a trip to winless Wolves on Sunday afternoon.

Despite Wolves’ poor start to the campaign, a Rodri-less City lost on their previous visit to Molineux last season – even though they only conceded one shot on target – and Pep Guardiola knows it won’t be too comfortable an afternoon.

A Ruben Dias own-goal and a late Hwang Hee-chan strike condemned City to a 2-1 defeat, with Guardiola crossing his fingers for a bigger slice of luck this time around.

Ahead of the weekend fixture, Express Sport have predicted how City might line up against Wolves.

Man City’s predicted XI vs Wolves (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Ederson

Even though Ederson reportedly sat out City’s first training session of the week (need to credit Sky if it’s coming from them), the Brazil international is expected to retain his spot between the sticks.

Ederson was key to City securing the three points against Fulham in the final game before the international and he’s likely to be called upon once again.

Defence: Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol

In Nathan Ake’s absence, Josko Gvardiol has started all seven of City’s Premier League fixtures on the left-hand side of defence and will do so again on Sunday afternoon.

John Stones could make a case for himself at the heart of defence, but Guardiola is likely to roll the tried and trusted partnership of Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji.

To combat the lack of Rodri, City have found success with Rico Lewis stepping in from right-back and bulking up the midfield.

Midfield: Kovacic, Gundogan, Foden

Rewind 12 months and the lack of Rodri proved City’s undoing at Molineux, but one year later Mateo Kovacic appears to have got to grips with playing the holding midfield role.

The Croatian will sit at the base of City’s midfield, with Ilkay Gundogan, who probably didn’t expect to feature as much as he has since returning from Barcelona, providing extra solidity alongside him.

Guardiola revealed Kevin De Bruyne is back in training, but Sunday’s game is likely to come too soon for the Belgian, meaning Phil Foden will operate in the No.10 role.

Attack: Bernardo, Haaland, Doku

It wouldn’t be a Guardiola XI without Bernardo Silva in the side, with City’s utility man an option to play off the right-hand side of attack.

Whereas fresh from his stunning goal as a substitute against Fulham, Jeremy Doku could torment the Wolves defenders with his trickery, meaning there’s no spot in the XI for Jack Grealish.

No prizes for guessing who’s leading the line for City, as Erling Haaland, who might have a point to prove after drawing a blank against Fulham, starts up top.

Man City predicted XI vs Wolves: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gundogan, Foden; Bernardo, Haaland, Doku