Manchester City out to equal Manchester United, Chelsea Premier League records versus Nottingham Forest

Manchester City will attempt to equal two separate Premier League records set by Chelsea and Manchester United when they host Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The reigning champions have hadthe perfect start to their titledefense, winning all of their opening five matches, as Pep Guardiola’s sideaim to become the first team to win the title 4 consecutive Premier League championships.

The Citizens have beaten Burnley, Newcastle United, Sheffield United, Fulham and West Ham United, beating the latter 3-1 away from home last weekend to maintain top spot.

If City claim maximum points in Saturday’s clash with Forest, they will become only the second reigning champions to start a Premier League season with six consecutive wins after Chelsea in 2005-06.

Under the guidance of José Mourinho, Chelsea defended their title that season, winning 29 of 38 matches and collecting a total of 91 points.

Man City will be confident of success at the Etihad as their form in front of fans, especially since the turn of the year, has been an integral part of their recent success.

Since losing 2-1 to Brentford and then drawing 1-1 with Everton in their last two home matchesin 2022, Man City has won all 12 home matches in the Premier League in 2023, scoring 35 goals in the period this.

If the Citizens beat Forest on Saturday, they will become the second Premier League team in the competition’s history to win their opening 13 home games in a calendar year, after Man United in 2011.

The Red Devils’ impressive 13thmatch under Sir Alex Ferguson ended remarkably when they suffered a historic 1-6defeatat home in the Manchester derby that October.

Despite his 100% record so far this season, Guardiola believes history has proven that good starts are irrelevant, citing the club’s perfect start in his first season in charge led in 2016-17, when he ultimately finished third.

“When we came here seven or eight years ago, we made it six outof six (at the start of the season in all competitions) and we finished third,” Guardiola said at today’s press conference. Friday. “It’s just the beginning.

“Scoring points is important because the competition is fierce, some of our opponents don’t miss many points, but this is just the beginning so scoring points is very important important that’s for sure.”

Earlier this week, Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper described the trip to the Etihad as “the toughest game you will ever play”, and Guardiola urged his team to Man City is ingood form let’s ‘prove it again’ at home this weekend. Thank you very much Steve,” said the Catalan boss.”They had an incredible game at Stamford Bridge and fought hard against Arsenal and Manchester United, [winning] 0-2 in a few minutes.

“Last season we couldn’t win there, but they did Have a good match, miss opportunities. We cannot deny that last year we felt very good at home. Tomorrow we have to prove it again.”

Man City won an impressive 6-0 home win over Forest last season, with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick and Julian Alvarez scoring the first two goals Premier League first for the club.

Guardiola gives an injury update to strikers Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic ahead of the clash with Forest, but Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne all remain sidelined.