Manchester City return to Premier League action this afternoon when they visit basement-dwellers Wolverhampton Wanderers knowing that a win would see them – temporarily at least – move to the top of the table.
Pep Guardiola will be pleased to see his side get back in action after an international break that was packed with questions over his long-term future plus the forthcoming departure of director of football Txiki Begiristain.
City will start as clear favourites to see off a Wolves side that have won just a single point so far this season and if the champions avoid defeat they will also set a new club record for their longest unbeaten run in their history.
Guardiola made three changes to his starting line up with Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Manu Akanji all dropping out, as Savinho, Jeremy Doku and John Stones come. There is a notable absentee from the matchday squad, however, as skipper Kyle Walker misses out completely.
Pep Guardiola explains Kyle Walker absence
Walker won his 90th England cap during the international break, playing all 90 minutes of the 3-1 win in Finland, but will not feature for City in the West Midlands.
“He doesn’t feel good after the national team, so he did not travel,” Guardiola told Sky Sports prior to kick-off.
This means Rico Lewis will again start at right-back for City, while Walker, who came off the bench for the final half-hour of the 3-2 win over Fulham before the international break, will be hoping to return to the squad when his side host Sparta Praha in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
Rico Lewis becoming increasingly important for City
Lewis makes his seventh start from eight Premier League games so far this season, underlining how important he has become for Guardiola so far this term.
While the 19-year-old has been around the squad for the past two seasons, this is beginning to look like his true breakthrough campaign, with Opta pointing out that he is the first teenager to start 25 league matches under Pep Guardiola in the manager’s top flight career.
Lewis is also making waves on the international front, having featured in both of England’s Nations League matches this month and will be looking to catch the eye of new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel in the coming weeks.
