Wolves v Manchester City

Today we face the third consecutive tricky test as big spenders Manchester City come to town.

We'll have Karl Henry back from suspension to give us more options in midfield but I suspect Mick McCarthy will pick the same middle three that served us well last season in Henry, David Jones and Michael Mancienne. Jody Craddock remains injured but Steve Mouyokolo's good performance at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup should give Richard Stearman's place a run for it's money and likewise for George Elokobi as he challenges Stephen Ward for the left-back slot.

As for City, Carlos Tevez, he has a dead leg and should be out for two weeks (between the lines, he's been given compassionate leave) so it's a chance for Mario Balotelli to make his first start since his absurdly big money move from Inter Milan. Dederick Boyata is suspended but Kolo Toure should back in after recovering from a hamstring, although it would be great if Joleon Lescott stepped in for the sake of a good ovation from us. It's worth noting that City have a dodgy track record away from home this season, losing to Sunderland and scraping a win at Blackpool.

I can't predict who will win, but it will be closer than it suggests on paper and the fixture last season.

'Grobs'

POSSIBLE LINE-UP

WOLVES: Hahnemann, Foley, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi, Jarvis, Henry, Mancienne, Jones, Hunt, Doyle

MAN CITY: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Kolo Toure, Boateng, Barry, De Jong, Yaya Toure, Milner, Balotelli, Silva

ODDS (with William Hill) (see more odds)

WIN: Wolves 4/1; Draw 9/4; Man City 4/5

FIRST GOALSCORER: Adebayor (Man City) 9/4; Balotelli (Man City) 5/1; Johnson (Man City) 7/1; Milner (Man City) 8/1; Fletcher (Wolves) 8/1; Doyle (Wolves) 9/1; Ebanks-Blake (Wolves) 10/1; Hunt (Wolves) 14/1; Jarvis (Wolves) 16/1; Richards (Man City) 20/1; Foley (Wolves) 50/1

KEY PLAYER: David Silva. The Spanish international is just starting to turn on the style.

WEAKEST PLAYER: Kolo Toure. Just returned from injury. Our chances should come if we test him early doors.

NOTABLE MUTUAL ALUMNI: Mark Kennedy, Joleon Lescott, Steve Daley, Dave Wagstaffe, Keith Curle, Paul Simpson

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