Man City XI vs Wolves: Guehi debut, predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Premier League

Manchester City step back onto the Etihad pitch this weekend knowing there is no room for mistakes, no space for excuses, and no patience left from fans who are watching a season slowly drift away from the standards they have become used to. The visit of Wolves might look simple on paper, but nothing feels simple around City right now. This is a must-win game in every sense of the word, and Pep Guardiola knows it.

The biggest talking point ahead of this Premier League clash is the expected Manchester City debut of Marc Guehi. The £20million signing arrived with little fanfare compared to some of City’s glamorous transfers of the past, but his importance has grown rapidly in just a few days. With City’s defence creaking, confidence shattered, and injuries piling up, Guehi suddenly feels like a lifeline.

He was unable to feature in the Champions League defeat against Bodo/Glimt earlier in the week due to ineligibility, and City paid the price. That night in the Arctic Circle was painful to watch. City were sloppy, nervous, and repeatedly punished for basic mistakes. The defensive errors were alarming, and for a club built on control, it was chaos.

Max Alleyne, thrust into a difficult situation, made two costly errors that summed up City’s current defensive crisis. It was not entirely his fault. Young players suffer when structure collapses around them, and City had very little structure on that night. With Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and John Stones all injured, Guardiola was forced to improvise, and the results were disastrous.

That is why Guehi’s arrival feels so important. He brings experience, calmness, and leadership into a back line that desperately needs all three. Guardiola has never been one to overpraise players lightly, but his words on Friday spoke volumes. When asked if Guehi was ready to play, the City manager did not hesitate. He confirmed the defender was available and made it clear how valuable his presence would be.

Guardiola described Guehi as “exceptional” and stressed how important it was to have him given the number of absences in central defence. Those words are not just encouragement. They are a sign of trust. Guardiola is ready to throw Guehi straight into the fire because City simply cannot afford another shaky performance at the back.

The expectation is that Guehi will line up alongside Abdukodir Khusanov. Khusanov has shown flashes of promise but has also struggled with consistency, something that is hardly surprising given the pressure and instability around him. Pairing him with Guehi could offer balance, with Guehi taking on the role of organiser and communicator.

City’s problems are not limited to defence. Injuries have hit almost every department of the team. Matheus Nunes is a doubt after picking up a virus, while Savinho, Nico Gonzalez, Mateo Kovacic, and Oscar Bobb all remain sidelined. The list is long, and it has forced Guardiola into constant reshuffles, making it impossible to build rhythm.

One positive is the return of Antoine Semenyo. He was unavailable for the Bodo/Glimt match but is expected to come straight back into the team. His energy, direct running, and willingness to attack defenders give City something different, especially out wide. Alongside Jeremy Doku, Semenyo could form a wing pairing built on pace, aggression, and unpredictability.

That width will be vital against Wolves. With Arsenal breathing down City’s neck in the title race, Guardiola knows his team must rediscover their attacking edge. City are currently on a run of four Premier League games without a win, an almost unthinkable statistic for a side that has dominated English football for years. Every dropped point now feels like a gift to their rivals.

Erling Haaland will once again lead the line, and there is growing focus on his goal drought. The Norwegian striker has not scored an open-play goal since the 3-0 win over West Ham before Christmas. For most players, such a run would barely raise eyebrows. For Haaland, it has become a major talking point.

Haaland’s frustration has been visible. He is still working hard, still making runs, still occupying defenders, but the goals have dried up. Some of that is down to City’s lack of creativity in recent matches. Others point to Haaland himself needing one moment to reignite his confidence. Wolves may offer that chance, but nothing will be handed to him easily.

Bernardo Silva is expected to return after serving a suspension in midweek. His presence is a massive boost. Silva brings intelligence, control, and leadership, qualities City have badly missed. He understands Guardiola’s system better than almost anyone and often acts as the glue that holds midfield and attack together.

Guardiola also spoke positively about the contributions of Rayan Ait-Nouri and Nico O’Reilly, particularly in terms of providing width. Even in defeat against Bodo/Glimt, there were moments where City’s structure looked better when the pitch was stretched. Against Wolves, that width will be crucial in pulling defenders out of position and creating space for Haaland and the attacking midfielders.

The predicted City lineup reflects both Guardiola’s ideals and the reality of his injury problems. Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to start in goal, offering presence and authority at the back. The defence is likely to feature Ait-Nouri on one side, O’Reilly on the other, with Khusanov and Guehi forming the central partnership.

In midfield, Rodri and Bernardo Silva are expected to anchor the team, offering protection to the defence and control in possession. Ahead of them, Antoine Semenyo, Rayan Cherki, and Jeremy Doku could form a dynamic attacking trio, supporting Haaland as the central striker.

It is a lineup filled with talent, but also one that must prove itself. Names alone do not win games, especially not in the Premier League. City must show hunger, discipline, and togetherness, qualities that have been missing in recent weeks.

Wolves will not come to the Etihad just to admire the surroundings. They know City are vulnerable, and they will sense an opportunity to frustrate the home crowd. Wolves have shown improvement in recent matches, becoming harder to break down and more disciplined without the ball.

For City, the psychological aspect of this match is just as important as the tactical one. A slow start, a missed chance, or an early Wolves goal could turn the Etihad nervous. Fans are used to dominance, and patience is wearing thin. Guardiola must ensure his players start fast, impose themselves, and take control early.

The stakes are clear. A win keeps City in touch with Arsenal and restores a measure of confidence. Another stumble would deepen the crisis and raise uncomfortable questions about the team’s direction, injuries, and mental strength.

Marc Guehi’s debut sits at the heart of this narrative. He has not arrived to be a squad player or a long-term project. He has arrived because City need him now. His performance will be watched closely, not just by City fans, but by the manager who has already placed significant trust in him.

If Guehi can bring calm to the defence, if Silva can steady the midfield, and if Haaland can rediscover his scoring touch, City should have enough to overcome Wolves. But football does not follow scripts, and recent weeks have shown how quickly things can unravel.

The match kicks off at 3pm GMT on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the Etihad Stadium. It will not be televised in the UK, but its significance will be felt across the Premier League. This is one of those games that can shape a season, not because of the opponent, but because of what it says about a team’s character.

Manchester City are wounded but not beaten. Wolves are battling but still bottom. When the whistle blows, form, injuries, and headlines will fade. What remains is a simple challenge. City must win. Anything less will feel like another step away from the standards Pep Guardiola has spent years building at the Etihad