Premier League preview: Wolverhampton v Manchester City

Manchester City will accept nothing less than three points from their visit to Wolverhampton to keep their title hopes alive on Sunday.

Second-placed City trail local rivals Manchester United, who host Everton on Sunday, by five points ahead of a tantalising Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on April 30.

Defender Joleon Lescott, who will make his 100th appearance for City at Molineux, insists his side are primed for a late title challenge following thumping wins against West Bromwich Albion (4-0) and Norwich City (6-1).

“Our mental state is fine,” Lescott told Sky Sports News.

“We had a bit of a run of inconsistency in the last few weeks but in the last two games we have shown that we are a good team and our strength in depth is there.

“No disrespect to Everton and Wolves but we’d both like to think that we could win those games, so that means there is more emphasis on the derby.

“No matter what we’re going to have to win that if we want to win the league and take control of our own destiny.”

Wolves are nine points away from Premier League safety with just one win from their last 22 starts in all competitions and their hopes of survival took a further blow during the week when goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was ruled out for six months with a knee injury.

The Wales international ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the closing stages of Wolves’ scoreless draw against Sunderland last weekend, paving the way for Dutch shot stopper Dorus de Vries to make his Premier League debut against City.

Wolves have lost their last eight home league matches – the second worst streak in Premier League history – and will equal the record of 17 home games without a clean sheet if they concede against City.