‘Famous faces in the house’
Loads of famous faces here at Molineux. Paul Clement and Roberto Martinez were the biggest luminaries who I’ve spotted heading into the main stand. Clement is Brazil No 2 to Carlo Ancelotti and Martinez with Portugal of course. There are a few on show who will interest the latter.
Ait-Nouri returns to Molineux
This must feel weird for Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Molineux was the full-back’s home for four years before he left at the start of the summer. He was adored in these parts.
And now, in his first Premier League game for Manchester City, he has to play against them.
It seems like he is liking seeing some familiar faces, though, as he has already had a catch-up with many of the Wolves staff.
Just look at that smile!
‘City have done good business’
Alan Shearer, former Newcastle striker, speaking to Betfair:
Wolves have lost a couple of big-hitters and I think Man City will go there and take the points. Liverpool won the league by a canter and spent a fortune, which is fine because they didn’t spend last season.
We’ve seen what Chelsea and Man City have done –Â Man City did their business pretty early because of the Club World Cup and similar with Chelsea. They’ve all done good business. Whether it’s enough to catch Liverpool we’ll have to wait and see.
Rodri arrives at Molineux
The injury can’t be too bad, then?
Rodri may not be in the squad today, but teh Spaniard has travelled with the team to Molineux. Now that’s the sign of a team player, don’t you think?
I mean, without him in the side, they may need that moral support. That’s not to say City don’t have a good enough midfield to win this game today, but the loss of Rodri doesn’t exactly help.
After missing him for so much of last season, they didn’t need this.
‘Rodri injury a worry for City’
Chris Sutton, former Blackburn striker, on BBC Sport:
Wolves were always well-organised under manager Vitor Pereira last season and they are a powerful team too, but they are going to miss Matheus Cunha. I wonder – how do they replace his goals and assists?
It is a worry for Manchester City that Rodri is injured again, but they are going to have to deal with that for the next few weeks. Maybe City will turn up and blow Wolves away, but I think this will be a lot closer than that.
Wolves Team News – Hoever RETURNS
Guess who’s back, back again.
Ki Jana-Hoever has been sent on several loans in recent years, but today he makes his return to the Wolves starting XI.
Summer signing David Wolfe also makes his competitive debut for teh club, while Jorgen Strand Larsen starts up top.
Not the strongest side, I’ll be real.
Man City Team News – Trafford STARTS
How many of you got it right?
I mean, I’d be surprised if there were more than 10 per cent of people in this blog that got it wrong. It was an open goal, you couldn’t miss.
James Trafford makes his return in a Manchester City shirt, replacing Ederson in between the sticks to make his Premier League debut for the club.
Rayan Ait-Nouri and Tijjani Reijnders also make their top-flight debuts for the club.
Rayan Cherki is on the bench.
No Ederson in City squad
Well then…
I can tell you that Ederson is not with teh Manchester City squad in Wolverhampton today, and it’s not down to injury.
The goalkeeper is reportedly closing in on a move to Turkish side Galatasaray, and wants the transfer to happen. It seems like he has been dropped due to the pending transfer.
I reckon you can guess who is starting instead of him, can’t you?
Latest from 3pm’s
By Harry Bamforth
Before we get tucked into the blockbuster bout that will finish our day, we have to remember that the 3pm kick-offs are still going on.
And it finally seems as though the goals are starting to fly in, at last.
Here’s the latest:
- Brighton 1-0 Fulham, latest
- Sunderland 1-0 West Ham, latest
- Tottenham 3-0 Burnley, latest
Not done yet…
By Harry Bamforth
Are we ready for some more footie?
Today may not have been the most entertaining of days in the Premier League, which is a shame given it’s the opening weekend, but it’s not over yet.
Now it’s over to Molineux to save the day for us.
Manchester City start their bid to get the crown back against Vitor Pereira’s Wolves on what is set to be an emotional day in the Midlands.
Wolves will pay tribute to the late Diogo Jota prior to kick-off, the man who delivered so many incredible moments in the gold shirt.
Right, let’s get this blog started.
