Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany is confident that the Premier League champions will take full advantage of Wolverhampton Wanderers' defensive frailties at Molineux on Sunday.
Gary O'Neil steered Wolves to a 14th-placed finish in the Premier League last season and his team ended the campaign 20 points clear of the relegation zone, while they were only three points behind the top 10.
Many Wolves supporters were hoping to see their side kick on this season, but they have instead endured a difficult start and sit rock bottom of the table after losing six and drawing one of their opening seven fixtures.
While scoring goals has not been a problem for the Old Gold, netting in each of their last six league games, conceding goals has been a real issue as they have already shipped a total of 21 goals - at least six more than any other team in the top flight.
Wolves suffered a 5-3 defeat away against Brentford before the international break and are now preparing for a tricky test at home to Man City, who have scored a league-high 17 goals in their first seven games and are one of only two teams in the division who remain unbeaten, beating Fulham 3-2 in their most recent match.
Kilman-less Wolves conceding goals "far too easily"
Wolves ended Man City's perfect start in the Premier League last season with a 2-1 win at Molineux in September 2023, and McInerney feels that the West Midlands outfit have always been a "pretty tough opponent" for the Citizens.
However, McInerney has acknowledged how Wolves have lost their defensive solidity since the departure of "excellent" defender Max Kilman, who joined West Ham United for £40m in the summer.
Kilman was a mainstay in the Wolves backline during a six-year spell at the club and played every minute across all 38 Premier League games as captain last season, but the 6ft 4in centre-back has opted to seek pastures new and reunite with Julen Lopetegui at West Ham.
Speaking to Sports Mole ahead of Man City's trip to Wolves, McInerney said: "I do feel that City will be pretty comfortable within this game. There's no doubt in my opinion that Wolves are missing Max Killman. I think he was an excellent player for them.
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"Wolves were always a pretty tough opponent if we're being honest. They were quite a functional side, never really set the world alight, but they were pretty strong defensively, and now Kilman has gone to West Ham they're conceding goals far too easily.
"Even though City haven't been at their creative best, you'd expect the likes of [Erling] Haaland, [Jack] Grealish - who is in good form - [Phil] Foden finding his rhythm a little bit, Savinho in good form after the international break...City should just about have too much for Wolves."
On a positive note for Wolves, Man City's backline has been far from watertight so far this season, keeping just three clean sheets in 11 matches across all competitions, and McInerney has suggested that the pace of a few key Wolves players could cause Pep Guardiola's side problems on Sunday.
"They do of course, have pace - [Rayan] Ait-Nouri gets forward really well from full-back, like [Nelson] Samedo. [Matheus] Cunha is a really talented footballer. They've got an ex-City lad as well in Carlos Borges, who's called Carlos Forbs now, but he was a City academy player. So much pace, a little bit like a younger Adama Traore. Not quite as bullish as him.
"[Those players] have the one thing that City are very bad at handling - they do have pace for the transition. I'm just glad [Pedro] Neto is not there anymore because he would be an absolute nightmare, likewise [Raul] Jimenez or Adama Traore, for City to handle."
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McInerney "relaxed" ahead of "well-timed fixture" for Man City
Nevertheless, McInerney is feeling "relaxed" ahead of Sunday and believes that this fixture is a "well-timed" one for Man City, taking into account the international break and also the adjustments made in recent weeks to cope without the presence of injured influential midfielder Rodri.
"It's a well-timed fixture for City given everything that's going on," said McInerney. "The football that City have played in the last couple games hasn't been brilliant. Rodri-less and searching for an answer is where Man City currently are.
"I'm pretty relaxed about this. I think City will go to Molineux and win because I think [Wolves] are in such a poor reign of form right now, but post-international break, physically some of the players could be tired.
"I'm just hoping - and I think they will be back - for the return of [Nathan] Ake and [Kevin] De Bruyne. If they're available, I expect them to be involved and that could be just about enough for City."
McInerney has talked up the importance of both Ake and De Bruyne, who are believed to be closing in on a return from injury and could be named in City's matchday squad this weekend, with Guardiola set to deliver an update on their fitness at a press conference on Friday.
Oliver Thomas
