Share Comments By Stuart Brennan 06:00, 13 JAN 2019 Sport Get Manchester City FC updates directly to your inbox Subscribe See our privacy notice More newsletters Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email Manchester City are ready to step up their Premier League title defence with a significant team selection.
Barring any last setbacks, they have the brilliant midfield trio of Fernandinho , David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne ready to start a league game together for the first time this season.
And that could have a big impact on the title race, just as it did last season.
Remarkable statistics show that in the 23 league games in which those three started together, the Blues won 21 and drew two – and those draws were down to a ridiculous first half red card for Kyle Walker against Everton and the Huddersfield 0-0 when the title was already in the bag.
By contrast, when one or more of those three didn’t start, City won 11, drew two and suffered their only two defeats, by Liverpool and Manchester United .
Willy Boly handles the ball into the Manchester City goal in the Molineux meeting (Image: Getty Images) History re-write
City have already dropped points against Wolves this season – but the 1-1 draw at Molineux has suffered from something of a re-write of history.
Wolves played very well on the day, and Pep Guardiola tipped them to take points off all of the top teams this season.
But the fact is that Nuno Espirito Santo’s side won the game with a handball goal from Willy Boly, and City hit the woodwork twice.
They will be intent on not leaving anything to chance this time.
Bit of scouting
The hunt for a long-term successor to Fernandinho has thrown up a fair few names, and that of Wolves youngster Ruben Neves is more credible than most.
Read More Why Claudio Bravo injury news could be huge for Man City The 21-year-old has been a key part of the Midlands side’s success story, and he underlined his potential with a brilliant long-range winner to knock Liverpool out of the FA Cup last week.
City have been impressed by him, and they get another chance to see how he compares against their own midfield maestros at the Etihad tomorrow.
Four and out
Gabriel Jesus looked like a young man who had re-discovered the joy of football after his four-goal haul against Burton Albion in midweek.
But he could be about to realise that even five goals in two games is not enough to dislodge Sergio Aguero from the side.
Read today's top Man City stories here Kun missed the Burton game with flu, otherwise Jesus may not have even started – but he is understood to be well again and favourite to reclaim his place.
Merlin milestone
David Silva will set a new club record for Premier League appearances if he plays.
The Spanish wizard is currently tied on 266 with Joe Hart and one more would give him the modern record – but he is still not halfway to Alan Oakes’ all-time club record of 564 league games!
Read More Why United and Liverpool fans should think twice before mocking Man City Read More Nuno explains why Man City boss Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest managers of all-time
