Predicted 3-4-2-1 Wolves Lineup vs Manchester City: Adama Starts

Wolves held Manchester City before and will hope to muster something similar when they travel to the Etihad come Monday. 

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side picked up a morale-boosting win against Liverpool in the third round of the FA Cup last Monday, and will believe they can stop the Sky Blues at their own stadium.

Wolves team news

There will be no missing players for Wolves this weekend. Espirito Santo will definitely have a selection dilemma ahead of their clash against the Sky Blues on Monday.

Predicted Wolves lineup vs Manchester City

Defence

Minimal defensive changes are expected from the side that secured a solid 2-1 win against Liverpool in the FA Cup. Therefore, the defensive trio of Ryan Bennett, Conor Coady and Willy Boly should retain their place at the heart of the Wolves defence.

All three of these defenders have averaged over three clearances per game this season but their defensive solidity will be tested against a free-flowing Manchester City attack.

The only change in the defensive department should see Rui Patricio return in goal, replacing John Ruddy. The Portuguese international will be seeking his sixth clean sheet of the campaign.

Midfield

Santo is likely to use his conventional 3-4-2-1 formation once again against Manchester City, meaning we could see Joao Moutinho in the holding midfield role. Moutinho is expected to play alongside his compatriot Ruben Neves, who operated as the lone defensive midfielder in the win over Liverpool.

The Portuguese midfield duo have achieved a pass accuracy of over 80% this season, but they are likely to be asked to do a lot of the dirty work, with Manchester City expected to dominate a chunk of the possession.

Elsewhere, Matt Doherty will return to the starting lineup and operate as the right wing-back. The Irish fullback has averaged over one key pass per game and will be a key out wide while Ruben Vinagre will shift into the left-wingback position.

Attack

The City defenders have struggled to cope with pacy attackers, of late, and therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Adama Traore getting the nod ahead of Helder Costa in the right wing position. Diogo Jota, on the other hand, might be deployed on the opposite flank.

The aforementioned attackers will look to drive at the CIty defence and provide the service to lone striker Raul Jimenez, who has scored only three goals in his last ten league matches.

Stat courtesy: Whoscored