Wolverhampton Wanderers have the unenviable task of trying to take points off Manchester City in the Premier League tonight.
The teams square off at the Etihad Stadium and Pep Guardiola’s league leaders are the overwhelming favourites having won their last 20 games in a row, and gone 27 unbeaten.
A remarkably difficult game lies in wait for Nuno Espirito Santo, but the manager has insisted Wolves will not be heading in with a ‘nothing to lose’ mentality (Wolves official).
City have been pretty impenetrable this season and the form of John Stones and Ruben Dias has been exceptional, but Wolves did win both games last season and that could provide some confidence heading in.
It’s almost certainly going to be a back five in order to make life difficult for the hosts.
Rui Patricio could be protected by Conor Coady, Romain Saiss and Max Kilman, with Nelson Semedo and Jonny operating as the wing-backs.
Willy Boly has resumed light training, but the game could well come too soon for the Ivorian.
If Kilman, 23, does come back into the side then Leander Dendoncker can go back into the midfield where he’s arguably more effective.
Nuno could use both Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho in addition to the £12 million Belgian (talkSPORT).
City like to try and overload their opponents in midfield with Joao Cancelo joining from full-back when they have possession, so three in midfield might be something he considers.
Up top, it would be no surprise to see Pedro Neto and Adama Traore playing as a two.
The Citizens are going to have the lion’s share of possession, and counter-attacking will probably be Wolves’ best chance of any joy at the Etihad Stadium.
That would see both Fabio Silva and Willian Jose starting on the bench.
On paper, it’s probably the hardest game of the season for Wolves, and Patricio and the defence will have to be absolutely on it for Nuno’s side to stand any chance.
