Manchester City are off to a flying start yet again this season and they do not look like slowing down any time soon as they have fairly favourable fixtures coming up. City beat Huddersfield 6-1 in their last outing and travel to Molineux next to face Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves.
Wolves lost to 10-men Leicester last weekend and only snatched a point from the home game against Everton on the opening weekend. They will look to bounce back this weekend but Manchester City are a tough nut to crack and will be favourites to take all three points.
Wolves have a few players City should be wary of, but the visitors have a squad full of stars that need special attention if the hosts are to take anything from this game.
Here are three key battles to look out for:
Sergio Aguero vs Conor Coady
The Argentine international is easily one of the best strikers in the world at the moment and he scored his first hat-trick of the season last weekend against Huddersfield Town.
He is a hard man to mark and will surely test Rui Patricio on goal with every opportunity he gets. He will have to be closed down quickly and Coady, at the heart of the Wolves’ defence, should be tasked with this job.
With two tackles, two interceptions and five clearances, Coady has certainly made an impact already, but this will be the biggest test of his career so far.
Ruben Neves vs David Silva
While Wolves will want their star midfielder Ruben Neves to have an impact higher up the pitch, this is a game where they need the Portuguese midfield to add numbers to the backline.
Neves will have to sit back and provide cover and might also have to stay close to David Silva, who seems to be in great touch at the moment. The Spaniard has a goal and 12 key passes to his name already this season and if he is not kept in check, this game could turn ugly for the hosts.
Neves has to make sure he frustrates the experienced midfielder, which will stop the supply line to the forwards and reduce the pressure on the side as a whole.
Benjamin Mendy vs Ryan Bennett
While Aguero has been lethal in front of goal, it is Benjamin Mendy’s marauding runs on the left flank that were a serious problem for both Arsenal and Huddersfield in the last two games.
The French international is high on confidence and will surely put in a similar shift and Wolves need Ryan Bennett to add cover on the right flank as he will have to support Matt Doherty from being exposed on the wings.
Mendy’s direct approach has seen him register three assists and five key passes this season and his battle with Bennett and Doherty on the flank could well decide the result of this tie.
Stat Credit: Whoscored.com