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 Bryune 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.
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.
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.
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.