England - Premier League
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Played
April 22, 2012 4:00 PM BST
Molineux Stadium — Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Referee:‬ L. Probert‎
Attendance:‬ 24576‎
 
 
Sergio Agüero 27′
 
Samir Nasri 74′

Wolves - Manchester City Preview: Three points essential for Citizens as they take on bottom side at Molineux

Relegation could be decided for the west Midlands club as Terry Connor's men tackle Roberto Mancini's buoyant troops, who are still harbouring hopes of clinching the title

By James Burford

More On :  Manchester City FC, Wolves, Wolves vs Manchester City FC
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WOLVES

De Vries
Zubar, Johnson, Bassong, Ward
Kightly, Edwards, Henry, Jarvis
Doyle, Fletcher
MANCHESTER CITY

Hart
Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy
Silva, De Jong, Barry, Nasri
Tevez, Aguero

Wolves goalkeeper Dorus de Vries is set to make his Premier League debut for the club after signing in January, in place of long-term absentee Wayne Hennessey.

The Welsh international underwent surgery on Wednesday for a torn cruciate knee ligament picked up in last Saturday's 0-0 draw at Sunderland.

Loanee defender Sebastien Bassong is available after serving a one-match suspension and Roger Johnson may make a return to the club following on-pitch altercations with Hennessey during the 3-2 home defeat by Bolton Wanderers.

Winger Matt Jarvis is in line for a return to the starting lineup.

Roberto Mancini is still without striker Mario Balotelli, who completes a three-match ban.

However, former exile Carlos Tevez is poised to make another start after bagging four goals in his last two outings.

The Italian manager has reported no further injury concerns.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Wolves have an impressive record against Manchester City, leading the overall head-to-head by 46 wins to 44, with 24 draws.
  • Wolves won their last home game against Manchester City, with David Edwards scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory.
  • Wolves have lost their last eight matches at Molineux, a club record.
  • Terry Connor has only taken two points from nine games since his appointment as interim manager.
  • Manchester City have the best goal-scoring and defensive records in the Premier League this season.
  • City have only accumulated 12 points from their last 11 away games, winning three, drawing three and losing five.
  • Together, Tevez and Aguero have scored and assisted eight goals in their last two games.
  • Sergio Aguero is the Premier League's third highest scorer with 21 goals.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Wolves 0-8 Manchester City FC
    13.4 %
  • Wolves 0-3 Manchester City FC
    10.62 %
  • Wolves 1-0 Manchester City FC
    9.61 %
Head to Head
England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Apr 22, 2012 Wolves 0 - Manchester City FC 2
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Oct 29, 2011 Manchester City FC 3 - Wolves 1
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England - Capital One Cup ‎(CCUP)‎ Oct 26, 2011 Wolves 2 - Manchester City FC 5
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Jan 15, 2011 Manchester City FC 4 - Wolves 3
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England - Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ Oct 30, 2010 Wolves 2 - Manchester City FC 1
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Last Five Matches
Wolves
May 4, 2013Brighton 2 - Wolves 0ENG2
Apr 27, 2013Wolves 1 - Burnley 2ENG2
Apr 20, 2013Charlton 2 - Wolves 1ENG2
Apr 16, 2013Wolves 1 - Hull 0ENG2
Apr 13, 2013Wolves 1 - Huddersfield Town 3ENG2
Manchester City FC
May 14, 2013Reading 0 - Manchester City FC 2EPL
May 11, 2013Manchester City FC 0 - Wigan Athletic 1FA
May 7, 2013Manchester City FC 1 - West Bromwich Albion 0EPL
May 4, 2013Swansea 0 - Manchester City FC 0EPL
Apr 27, 2013Manchester City FC 2 - West Ham 1EPL
Odds
Returns: Wolves £810.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Draw £670.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Manchester City £12.50 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Team News
Available Squads
31Dorus De VriesGoalkeeper
5Richard StearmanDefender
11Stephen WardDefender
5S. BassongDefender
32Kevin FoleyDefender
4David EdwardsMidfielder
21Michael KightlyMidfielder
8Karl HenryMidfielder
7Matthew JarvisMidfielder
37David DavisMidfielder
26Steven FletcherStriker
30Carl IkemeGoalkeeper
14Roger JohnsonDefender
16Christophe BerraDefender
23Ronald ZubarDefender
11Nenad MilijasMidfielder
9Sylvan Ebanks-BlakeStriker
29Kevin DoyleStriker
1Joe HartGoalkeeper
4Vincent KompanyDefender
5Pablo ZabaletaDefender
6Joleon LescottDefender
22Gael ClichyDefender
18Gareth BarryMidfielder
8Samir NasriMidfielder
21David SilvaStriker
42Yaya Touré Midfielder
16Sergio AgüeroStriker
32Carlos TévezStriker
30Costel PantilimonGoalkeeper
13Aleksandar KolarovDefender
28Kolo ToureDefender
7James MilnerMidfielder
11Adam JohnsonMidfielder
34Nigel De JongMidfielder
10Edin DzekoStriker
Players to Watch
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 29
Games Goals YC RC
0 0 0 0
The Republic of Ireland international may be looking on in jealousy as his former club Reading sealed promotion to the Premier League on Monday while his current club Wolves look consigned to the Championship, but the unpredictable striker is still tricky to deal with on his day. Terry Connor has employed Doyle as a lone striker in recent weeks and expect much of the same as Wolves will look to pack out the midfield and limit Manchester City's space. Doyle's work ethic will be key.
Carlos Tévez
Carlos Tévez
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 32
Games Goals YC RC
33 11 3 0
The diminuitive Argentine has made an explosive return to Premier League football following a self-inflicted exile, contributing an impressive four goals in two games, including a hat-trick last time out against Norwich City. It will take more than displaying a few impressive backheels to win back the hearts of City fans, though, but striking a successful partnership with fellow countryman Sergio Aguero isn't a bad way to begin. Prepare for more delicious link-up play all the way from Argentina, as Tevez looks to help City catch their fierce rivals at the top of the Premier League.
Prediction
The malignant inevitability surrounding Wolves' relegation nightmare will prove too much for Terry Connor and his men, as they take on a free-scoring Manchester City side hell-bent on finishing the season as top dogs. Wolves' players have looked deflated, demoralised and dejected in recent weeks and it is expected that Manchester City will do nothing to aid their suffering, by pounding another impressive collection of goals past the hosts.
Editor's Prediction
Wolves 1
Manchester City 5
Results
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Midfielder
Swansea City 		19 0