Odds:
| American Odds | Decimal Odds | Fractional Odds | |
| Wolves | +475 | 5.75 | 19/4 |
| Draw | +350 | 4.50 | 7/2 |
| Manchester City | -200 | 1.50 | 1/2 |
Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers will kick off their respective Premier League campaigns against each other on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at Molineux Stadium in the West Midlands in what some are calling “the Ait-Nouri derby.” Or at least, that’s what I’ll be calling it.
Previous Five Head-to-Head Matches (All Competitions)
Manchester City have won 4/5 of their previous fixtures against Wolves, outscoring them 12 – 4 in the process.
Manchester City Team News:
There’s plenty to unpack here. The summer window has been a busy one for Manchester City, with speculation and rumours continuing to swirl around the Sky Blues. Just this week, Jack Grealish agreed to join Everton on a season-long loan. Over the course of the summer, Pep Guardiola’s side have seen Kevin De Bruyne depart and Kyle Walker make a permanent move to Premier League newcomers Burnley after spending last season on loan at AC Milan.
City have also been active in the market, securing several key signings — with more expected to follow. Rayan Cherki arrived from Lyon, Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan, Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolves, and James Trafford, a City academy graduate, rejoined from Burnley.
Trafford’s return was seemingly part of the plan to prepare for Ederson’s exit. However, fresh rumours have thrown a twist into the story, with Gianluigi Donnarumma now reportedly available under Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain.
Another name in the rumour mill is Savinho, who has been heavily linked with Tottenham in recent weeks as Thomas Frank looks to strengthen his Spurs squad.
Crucially for City, Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has been ruled out for the first three Premier League matches due to injury, meaning he will miss the clash with Wolves. Mateo Kovačić is also sidelined in midfield and is not expected back before the international break.
Wolves Team News:
Wolves are heading into their first full season under Vítor Pereira, who took charge midway through the 2024/25 campaign with the club in trouble.
This summer has brought plenty of goodbyes. As mentioned earlier, star fullback Rayan Aït-Nouri departed for Manchester City and will make his return to Molineux in what will be his Premier League debut for the Sky Blues. Pablo Sarabia, Nélson Semedo, Craig Dawson, Gonçalo Guedes, and, most notably, Matheus Cunha, who joined Manchester United, have all moved on.
Incoming business has been quieter. Attacking midfielder Fer López arrives from Celta Vigo, while Norwegian striker Jørgen Strand Larsen makes his switch to Wolverhampton permanent. Colombian winger Jhon Arias joins from Fluminense, and Norwegian left-back David Wolfe signs from Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar.
Predicted Starting Lineups:
Manchester City Lineup Notes:
Phil Foden and Joško Gvardiol are expected to return from injury after missing City’s only preseason fixture against Palermo. Rayan Cherki has been handed the number 10 shirt and could push his way into the starting XI if Foden isn’t fully fit for matchday. Ederson is set to remain Pep’s first-choice goalkeeper for now. As for Savinho, he’s unlikely to start given the ongoing links to Tottenham, though the validity of those rumours could be strengthened or silenced depending on his involvement this weekend.
Update: Pep has now confirmed that both Ederson and Savinho will not be in Man City’s lineup at Wolves.
Wolves Lineup Notes:
With Matheus Cunha’s move to Manchester United, Wolves’ starting front three is expected to feature Jørgen Strand Larsen, supported by newcomers Fer López and Jhon Arias. Manager Vítor Pereira is likely to stick with his preferred 3-4-3 setup.
Match Preview:
Manchester City head into the Premier League opener having played just one preseason friendly, against Palermo. Their summer also included a run in the FIFA Club World Cup, where Pep Guardiola tested several of his new signings.
Wolves arrive with a far less convincing preseason behind them. Wolves went winless in their preseason fixtures. They drew with EFL Championship side Stoke City, lost to Ligue 1 club RC Lens, and fell to La Liga’s Girona and Celta Vigo.
Even with City’s injury-stricken midfield, it’s hard to see Wolves troubling them too much. I expect Pep’s side to take care of business in comfortable fashion.
Betting Tip:
Manchester City -1.0
Odds:
- American: -114
- Decimal: 1.875
- Fractional: 7/8
I predict Manchester City will open their 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a win at Molineux. Not only do I expect them to win, but I believe they’ll do so by multiple goals. Taking the Asian line of -1.0 at nearly even odds provides a refund if City win by just one, and pays out nicely if they win by two or more – which is exactly how I see this one going.
The Pick: Manchester City -1.0
