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2021/22 English Premier League
Matchday 16
Manchester City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Etihad Stadium
Manchester, England
Saturday, 11 December 2021
Kick-off is at 14h30
Manchester City will be looking to maintain pole position in the
English Premier League when they welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium on December 11.
Pep Guardiola's side ran out 3-1 victors over Watford last time out to extend their winning streak in the league to five matches, which kept them one point clear of second-placed Liverpool in the table.
The goal they shipped to the Hornets was just the ninth City have conceded this season - the joint-best defensive record alongside Chelsea - although they have failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last four outings against Wolves.
The festive period promises to be gruelling again with the Citizens playing five games before the turn of the year and Guardiola admits it will be a testing time for his squad.
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"There's many games to come and it's the toughest part of the season. We'll try to continue at this level and this rhythm," he said.
"Everyone is back, it doesn't matter who plays, we are consistent and winning games but in football everything can go down in one second.
"I'm more than pleased with what the guys have done in this tough period and now comes the toughest one for the amount of games, weather, injuries."
Meanwhile, the Black Country club conceded a last-gasp goal to Liverpool in a 1-0 defeat on December 4 which left them without a win in their last three league encounters.
Wolves have steadily improved after a shaky start to the campaign and head coach Bruno Lage is looking to carry on in that vein.
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"I want to continue with that culture. We're trying to have more time on the ball, we're trying to control the game with the ball, and teamwork is very important," Lage said after the loss to the Reds.
"Maybe we could have had more of the ball and sometimes we try put in more and more balls from both sides and sometimes we hurry to go to the box when they are solid and compact. Maybe we can push a little bit and make Liverpool run without the ball, but these are a few things we will look to do more, but that comes with time.
"The work of the three strikers was very important and it was a solid performance against one of the best sides in the world. That's the culture I want to continue to work in the club."
The defending champions recorded a convincing 4-1 victory in the corresponding fixture last term to record the double over Wolves, having beaten them 3-1 at Molineux.
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man City - 3
Wolves - 2
Draws - 0
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