Wolves couldn’t ask for a much tougher test after returning from the international break as they host champions Manchester City at Molineux.
With seven games played, just one point and a whopping 21 goals conceded, it’s worrying times for Gary O’Neil and Wolves.
The Wanderers have had a tricky run at the start of the season, facing Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, Liverpool and Aston Villa but to lose six of their opening seven isn’t good enough.
It promises to get worse before it gets better as Man City travel to Molineux on Sunday, who are unbeaten in the first two months of the season, dropping just four points.
Although the Old Gold secured an impressive 2-1 victory over the Citizens last term, it’s completely different circumstances this around, with Paul Merson predicting Man City to beat Wolves 2-0.
Gary Neville shares Wolves vs Man City score prediction
The evidence from the opening seven games suggests the visitors could walk all over O’Neil’s men this weekend, especially after watching Brentford carve them open at will.
Wolves are without Hwang Hee-chan, who is sidelined for the next couple of weeks with an ankle injury, and he scored the winner in this fixture last season.
O’Neil will be looking for a different source of inspiration this Sunday, as he aims to outsmart Pep Guardiola once more.
It’s difficult to look past the contrast in form between both teams, though, with Gary Neville explaining how ‘worried’ he is for Wolves in his prediction for City to win 3-0.
Speaking on The Overlap’s Super 6 predictions, Neville simply said: “I am very worried about Wolves. Honestly, I think that is worrying. I am worried about them. 3-0 City.”
Wolves must believe they can replicate success vs Man City
It’s been a disastrous start to the season for Wolves. Their confidence is on the floor. They feel like everything is going against them.
However, on Sunday afternoon, this squad of players has a chance to make themselves heroes, just like they did last season, by beating the champions on home turf.
All three points in 2023/24 were the catalyst for O’Neil’s men to go on an impressive run which saw them challenge for the European places at one point.
This time, though, they’re just looking to drag themselves away from danger and collecting an invaluable victory could see them move off the bottom.
There is a sense of Deja Vu brewing ahead of this fixture. Man City were unbeaten when they travelled to Wolverhampton and were without the instrumental Rodri for the match.
The Spanish midfield maestro is now sidelined for the season and City are yet to taste a defeat. With the 28-year-old not present in the middle of the park, Guardiola’s side are easier to get at and there will be space for the likes of Carlos Forbs and Matheus Cunha to spring forward in transition.
Indeed, playing on the counter-attack will be their avenue to goals, with O’Neil needing to take inspiration from last seasons display.