Manchester Metropolis goal to bounce again from two defeats previously week in opposition to a Wolves aspect bettering below head coach Rob Edwards.
BBC Sport examines a few of the key themes forward of Saturday’s assembly at Etihad Stadium.
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Metropolis in want of a win
Manchester Metropolis’s response to their chastening defeat in opposition to metropolis rivals Manchester United final weekend was nearly as unhealthy because it will get.
The shock 3-1 defeat in freezing situations on the north-east coast of Norway by Champions League debutants Bodo/Glimt was a maiden win in opposition to an English aspect and one of many greatest upsets within the competitors’s historical past.
There was mitigation within the sense that Metropolis boss Pep Guardiola made 4 adjustments and chosen a beginning 11 with a mean age of 24 years and 84 days – the youngest fielded by Metropolis in a Champions League match – though the character of the loss nonetheless compelled Metropolis’s gamers to donate £10,000 to cowl the ticket prices of the membership’s 374 travelling supporters.
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Following defeat within the Arctic Circle, Guardiola mentioned his squad should shake off any negativity following a run of two wins in seven matches in all competitions for the reason that begin of the calendar 12 months though central to any shift in direction of constructive pondering could be the return to type of striker Erling Haaland.
The 25-year-old has failed to attain from open play in his previous eight matches in all competitions, together with his solely aim throughout this run coming by way of the penalty spot within the 1-1 draw with Brighton earlier this month.
It’s Haaland’s longest run with out scoring a aim from open play in any competitors of whereas enjoying for a aspect in a serious European league.
Erling Haaland has failed to attain from open play in his previous eight matches in all competitions [BBC]
The stalemate with the Seagulls adopted a 1-1 house draw with Chelsea by which Metropolis additionally let a one-goal lead slip. They’ve not drawn three in a row on the Etihad within the Premier League since December 2023, when Guardiola’s aspect additionally led in opposition to Liverpool, Tottenham and Crystal Palace earlier than failing to take three factors.
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Wolves bettering below Edwards
Metropolis subsequent face a Wolves aspect having fun with a mini-revival below head coach Rob Edwards.
The Midlands membership are unbeaten in 4 Premier League fixtures, incomes six factors, which is twice as many as they managed of their earlier 22 top-flight matches going again to final season.
An enchancment in performances has been underpinned by a new-found consistency in method. Edwards understandably experimented with ways and personnel throughout his first seven video games on the helm, utilising 4 completely different formations – all variations of a again three/5 – and averaging three adjustments to his beginning line-up per recreation.
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Nevertheless, the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool on 27 September proved to be a turning level.
Wolves made 4 adjustments for the journey to Anfield, crucially giving teenage ahead Mateus Mane a primary Premier League begin, and choice since has settled down.
Wolves have settled on an improved system in latest weeks within the Premier League [BBC]
Within the following 4 matches by which Wolves have crushed West Ham United and drawn with Everton, Newcastle and Manchester United, they’ve began in a 3-5-2 formation and made simply 4 adjustments in complete.
Edwards’ aspect stay 14 factors adrift of security, however latest proof means that they’ll make life extra uncomfortable for Manchester Metropolis on the Etihad on Saturday afternoon than could have beforehand been the case earlier this season.