Manchester City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manchester City, having secured a third consecutive FA Cup final berth, look to maintain their Premier League resurgence as they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.

Chasing a top-five finish, City have strung together three straight league victories, while Wolves, eager for more points, have triumphed in their last six matches, capping a strong season finish.

Last Sunday brought mixed emotions for City supporters: their team advanced to another cup final but also officially relinquished the Premier League crown.

As Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Nottingham Forest 2-0 at Wembley with goals in each half, Liverpool clinched the league title, halting City’s prolonged dominance.

Before facing Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final, City aim to secure a top-five league position, ensuring at least Champions League qualification from a lackluster season.

Buoyed by Matheus Nunes’ late winner against Aston Villa, City have earned 14 points from their last 18, and a win over Wolves could temporarily lift them to third.

A victory would mark their first run of four consecutive Premier League wins since the season’s opening four games, a testament to their uncharacteristic inconsistency.

Despite a depleted and vulnerable squad, City’s strong record against Wolves—winning eight of their last nine home encounters—bodes well for the rare Friday night clash.

Yet Wolves, brimming with confidence, will fancy their chances, having won all six of their recent Premier League matches, matching the longest winning streak this season.

The Midlands outfit are on the cusp of history, with only one seven-game top-flight winning run in their records, dating back nearly 80 years, making Vitor Pereira’s side a formidable threat.

Last time out, in-form attackers Jorgen Strand Larsen and Matheus Cunha struck again as Wolves easily defeated Championship-bound Leicester City 3-0 at Molineux.

The latest in a string of stunning performances that put any thoughts of relegation to rest, they were effectively over the line against goal-shy opponents when Strand Larsen scored their second in the 56th minute.

Wanderers were struggling for survival only weeks ago, but another win on Friday would bring them within one point of Crystal Palace in 12th place.

Despite a poor recent record against Manchester City - since winning the double over them in 2019-20, Wolves have lost eight of their past nine Premier League matches - Pereira's side has won their last four road games.