Man City lineup vs. Wolves: Predicted XI for Premier League opener of 2025-26 season

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be without at least five players for their opening Premier League fixture of the 2025-26 season against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday evening.

Guardiola recently confirmed that Ballon d'Or winner Rodri picked up a ‘big injury’ at the Club World Cup and may not return to his best until after the international break in September. However, the midfielder will travel with the matchday squad to Molineux and could be in contention to feature in some capacity - most likely as a substitute - against Wolves.

Phil Foden is also available after shaking off a knock to his ankle that forced him to miss Man City's 3-0 friendly win over Palermo last weekend, but Mateo Kovacic, Kalvin Phillips, Josko Gvardiol, Savinho and Ederson will all miss the trip to Wolves due to injury, the latter two have also been heavily linked with an exit before the transfer window closes on September 1.

The absence of Ederson is therefore set to see summer signing James Trafford handed his Man City debut between the sticks, while Rayan Ait-Nouri is another new signing made by the Citizens and the left-back is in contention to start against his former club Wolves.

Another ex-Old Gold player, Matheus Nunes, could get the nod to start at right-back over Rico Lewis, while Ruben Dias is the most likely candidate to start at centre-back and could be joined in the back four by left-sided defender Nathan Ake. John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Abdukodir Khusanov are other central-defensive options at Guardiola’s disposal.

Summer signing Tijjani Reijnders scored twice during a superb second-half performance against Palermo and is likely to make his Premier League debut in midfield, potentially alongside new club captain Bernardo Silva and either Ilkay Gundogan or Nico Gonzalez.

Rayan Cherki, another new recruit who has been handed the No.10 shirt, will also hope to force his way into the first XI, although he faces competition from the likes of Foden, Jeremy Doku, Omar Marmoush and Oscar Bobb for a place in the final third, while star striker Erling Haaland, who has scored eight goals in just five appearances against Wolves, is almost guaranteed to lead the line.

Manchester City possible starting lineup: Trafford; Nunes, Dias, Ake, Ait-Nouri; Bernardo, Gundogan, Reijnders; Foden, Haaland, Marmoush

> Click here to see how Wolverhampton Wanderers could line up for this contest