As Manchester City are set to host Wolves at the Etihad Stadium in their opening game of the 2025/2026 season, they will be hoping to get off to a winning start at home.
The previous meeting between both sides will eternally be remembered by City fans as Kevin De Bruyne scored the one and only goal in the hosts’ crucial 1-0 victory in May.
But in August, a much-changed Manchester City side will be determined to win much more comfortably and instil a sense of belief within their supporters that they could compete for the title next season.
However, Wolves could make life difficult for City, having surged up the league table since Vitor Pereira’s appointment and finishing 16th after seeming like they could go down at one point.
Rayan Ait-Nouri could hand Man City major advantage vs Wolves
One man who will certainly know what to expect from Wolves is Manchester City new-boy Rayan Ait-Nouri.
Having been managed by Vitor Pereira, Ait-Nouri could tell Pep Guardiola all he needs to know to mastermind a victory over the visitors.
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Manchester City FC - Premier League
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
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Furthermore, the Algerian also knows his now-former teammates’ strengths and weaknesses, as he could inform the Manchester City players how to capitalise at the Etihad Stadium while potentially taking advantage himself, as he was arguably their standout performer last season.
While the 24-year-old left the Molineux Stadium on a positive note, Ait-Nouri is determined to succeed at Manchester City and as a result, he could well put his sentiments aside to help his new employers run riot against Wolves.
Vitor Pereira’s 3-2-4-1 setup and counter-attacking approach can often catch teams by surprise.
But as Ait-Nouri called Pep Guardiola a “great coach”, he could give the Catalan tactician the blueprint on how to conquer such teams; a piece of advice that could go a long way over the course of the season as teams that are dangerous in transition tend to trouble this Manchester City side.
Pep Guardiola’s head-to-head record at Man City vs Wolves
On paper, City would be expected to get over the line against Wolves.
However, the Premier League is full of surprises and last season, the English giants were not the juggernaut they once were.
Since Pep Guardiola’s arrival, Manchester City have gone toe-to-toe with Wolves 16 times across all competitions.
PEP GUARDIOLA’S RECORD VS WOLVES
MATCHES 16
WINS 12
DRAWS 1
LOSSES 3
City have won 12 of these fixtures, losing three and drawing one.
Ait-Nouri will be hoping that his time at Manchester City gets off to the perfect start with yet another victory over Wolves.