Date of Tips: 20/01/2026
Disclaimer The odds for these selections were correct at the time of publishing (15:11 20/01/2026) but may have changed since. Please check the latest price before placing your bet.
Manchester City FC
v Wolverhampton Wanderers FC 
Etihad Stadium
Premier League Matchday 23
24-01-2026 15:00
Man City Form
Wolverhampton Form
Manchester City vs Wolves meet on Saturday January 24th, with a 3pm kick-off at the Etihad Stadium. City are trying to keep pressure on above them, while Wolves are scrapping for pride. There’s plenty to unpack here, and this Manchester City vs Wolves prediction covers everything needed to make informed betting decisions, including team news, likely lineups, and how the styles clash. Let’s get into it.
Starting with City, Pep Guardiola’s squad has no major new injury worries heading into this one. Erling Haaland leads the line, and if there’s a chance in the box, he’s the one you expect to be on the end of it. For free-kicks, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva are usually the ones hovering nearby, depending on angle and distance. Foden, still very much a Premier League starboy but now a senior figure, is also central to how City unlock low blocks.
Rodri remains the heartbeat. Everything flows through him. Control, tempo, positioning. Without him, City look different. With him, they look like City. Defensively, there’s still a bit of waiting and seeing around certain centre-back combinations, but the system protects them well.
Now Wolves. Different story. Rob Edwards is the man in charge, with a squad that’s been under pressure all season. Wolves don’t have many luxury options.
Hwang Hee-chan stands out. Experienced, hardworking, and usually the first-choice penalty taker when he’s on the pitch. He’s also one of the few Wolves players who can carry the ball with real intent. For set pieces, João Gomes and Hugo Bueno often share duties, especially on free-kicks from deeper areas.
Fitness-wise, Wolves aren’t dealing with a long injury list, but they also don’t have much room for rotation. That usually means a compact setup, sitting deep, and hoping moments go their way.
City are expected to line up in their familiar shape. A controlled back line, Rodri shielding, creators between the lines, and Haaland up top. Guardiola may rotate slightly depending on minutes, but the structure won’t change.
Wolves are likely to go with a back three or five, depending on how you look at it. Extra bodies behind the ball, wing-backs dropping deep, and two forwards tasked with pressing and countering when possible.
This matchup usually comes down to one thing. Can Wolves survive the pressure? City dominate territory, they recycle possession endlessly, and they force mistakes. Wolves, on the other hand, are most dangerous when games break up. If City score early, it can get long. If Wolves hold firm, things get interesting.
The Etihad isn’t a forgiving place for teams who sit back all afternoon. City move you around until gaps appear. For todays football tips, this is the kind of fixture for clean-sheet angles.
So what’s the feel? City look sharper at home. Wolves look limited when chasing games. If City stay patient and don’t force it, the openings will come.
Match Prediction: Man City to win. Bet with bet365.
Scorelines here tend to follow a pattern. Wolves rarely open up unless they have to, and City don’t usually overcommit early. A steady first half, followed by City pulling clear once legs tire, wouldn’t surprise.
Correct Score Prediction: Man City 2-0 Wolves. Bet with bet365.
This one sits in that middle ground. City can score freely, but Wolves will try to slow things down. If Wolves keep numbers back, it might take time to build. That leans toward a controlled total rather than a goal-fest from minute one.
Over/Under Prediction: Under 2.5 Goals. Bet with bet365.
A City win paired with a controlled defensive outcome feels logical. Under 2.5 goals, City to win to nil, and Haaland to find the net makes sense here. Simple but smart.
Bet Builder Tip: Under 2.5 goals, City to win to nil, and Haaland to score anytime. Bet with bet365.
Key Stats
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Visit our football previews & predictions page for more betting tips on upcoming matches.
Manchester City are favourites at home, especially given how these fixtures usually play out.
Kick-off is at 3pm UK time.
The match takes place at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
A controlled City win with Wolves kept at arm’s length feels most likely.