Wolves face their toughest opponent of 2026 when they travel to Manchester City but do so with a five-match unbeaten run to their name. Here is all you need to know.
1 | Roll Call
Rob Edwards confirmed Jean-Ricner Bellegarde returned to training this week and could be back in action next weekend, having missed the past month with a hamstring injury. Toti remains absent, but the Old Gold have picked up no fresh injuries over the past week, so the head coach said his squad are in “good shape”. Tawanda Chirewa missed last weekend due to illness, but is expected to be involved.
Pep Guardiola says defender Marc Guehi is lined up to make his City debut, having signed from Crystal Palace recently. The Spaniard doesn’t expect to have any other fresh options however, with former Wolves man Matheus Nunes out with a virus. Central defenders Josko Gvardiol (calf), John Stones (thigh) and Ruben Dias (thigh) are all absent, as are midfielders Mateo Kovacic (ankle) and Nico Gonzalez. Savinho is also missing, as is Oscar Bobb.
🐺🐺🐺 pic.twitter.com/V795rrr7JB
— Wolves (@Wolves) January 22, 2026
2 | The Stat Pack
Goals
- Jorgen Strand Larsen | 6
- Erling Haaland | 26
Assist
- Hee Chan Hwang | 3
- Jeremy Doku | 9
Biggest win
- Wolves 6-1 Shrewsbury | January 2026
- Man City 10-1 Exeter | January 2026
Yellow cards
- Andre | 8
- Bernardo Silva | 8
Clean sheets
- Jose Sa | 2
- Gianluigi Donnarumma | 10
3 | Journey to Saturday
Last Sunday’s goalless draw with Newcastle United represented further progress for Wolves, who made it five matches without defeat for Edwards’ improving side. Jose Sa’s second clean of the season ensured Wolves have now drawn three of their past four Premier League matches. After picking up a point at Manchester United, Wolves followed it up with a first league win of the campaign against West Ham United. A solid draw at Everton followed, as did a comprehensive win over League Two Shrewsbury Town in the FA Cup, before last week’s Magpies stalemate.
Man City go into Saturday’s game without a win in four Premier League matches. Since a draw at Sunderland on New Year’s Day, City have struggled to get wins over the line. Back-to-back 1-1 draws with Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion followed, before defeat in the Manchester derby last weekend. Guardiola’s side didn’t let league form affect them in the Carabao Cup, where they beat Newcastle, but were shocked by Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League on Tuesday, losing 3-1.
4 | The Adama Traore show
When Manchester City away follows around, Adama Traore’s antics of October 2019 are the standout memory.
Just days after winning at Besiktas in the Europa League, Wolves travelled to the Premier League champions and stood strong for 80 minutes, repelling what the hosts had to asked.
In the final 10 Traore and Raul Jimenez kicked into gear. The Mexican quick feet carried Wolves up the pitch and he laid off for Traore to slot home.
Then, in added time, he found the winger just inside City’s half, and Traore did the rest, outpacing Fernandinho before rolling home the second goal of a memorable afternoon in Manchester.
Man City | Ederson, Walker (Zinchenko 45), Otamendi, Fernandinho, Cancelo, Rodri, D Silva (Jesus 75), Gundogan, Sterling, Mahrez (B Silva 60), Aguero.
Wolves | Patricio, Adama, Boly, Coady, Saiss (Bennett 13), Vinagre (Jonny 74), Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Cutrone (Doherty 68), Jimenez.
