Jack Grealish poised to reach significant landmark – Stat Preview: Manchester City vs Leicester City (Premier League)

Manchester City return to Premier League action this weekend at the Etihad Stadium when they host newly-appointed manager Dean Smith’s Leicester City.

Pep Guardiola’s players come into the tie fresh off the back of a 3-0 midweek thrashing of German giants Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie in Manchester.

Rodri’s fantastic left-footed strike from the edge of the 18-yard box gave the Blues the lead, before two more goals were converted by Bernardo Silva and runaway top scorer Erling Haaland.

Thomas Tuchel’s side themselves threatened on occasions, but individual mistakes – notably by central defender Dayot Upamecano – allowed Pep Guardiola’s forward line to take advantage and increase their lead ahead of next week’s second-leg in Munich.

Despite the positive result against the Bundesliga champions, full concentration will now be required from the reigning Premier League title-holders as they continue to chase down league leaders Arsenal.

Ahead of the clash at the Etihad Stadium, here are all of the stand-out statistics and potential landmarks to look out for!

Manchester City

• Manchester City have picked up 22 points from the last 24 available in the Premier League.

• Erling Haaland has netted in each of his last five Manchester City appearances – converting 12 times.

• Manchester City have scored the most goals in the Premier League following high turnovers (9).

• Erling Haaland has scored 45 goals in 39 games in all competitions so far this season for Manchester City – a record by any player for a Premier League club.

• There is potential for Manchester City to surpass last season’s tally for home wins and goals (22 and 85 respectively), should they score more than twice against Leicester City.

• Manchester City are averaging 3.36 goals per game at home so far this season in the Premier League.

• Manchester City have conceded the second least number of goals so far this season.

• Manchester City lead Leicester City 26:16 on aggregate, whilst also winning seven out of nine matches at home.

Leicester City

• Leicester have lost seven of their last eight matches since drawing 1-1 with Brentford in March.

• Leicester have lost 19 matches from 30 this season – a tally beaten only by their relegated 2001-02 (L20) and 1994-95 (L25) sides.

• Leicester have conceded 50 shots from turnovers high up the pitch – the most in the Premier League.

• Dean Smith makes his Leicester City managerial debut against a manager he has lost every fixture to by an aggregate of 19-3.

• Leicester can equal the earliest they’ve ever reached 20 league defeats, should they lose at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.

• Leicester, despite having the second worst home form in the Premier League, are ranked 12^th for away form.

• Jamie Vardy has netted eight times in the Premier League against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City – the most of any player.

• Leicester are ranked 18^th in the league for clean sheets this season.

Previous Meetings

• Leicester took home maximum points in four of their first five visits to the Etihad Stadium , but since then have lost five of the six fixtures.

• Manchester City have won 10 of their last 12 Premier League matches against Leicester.

• James Maddison could put his name amongst Collins John (2004/05-2006/07) and Tim Cahill (2008/09-2010/11) if he scores at the Etihad Stadium as this would be his third in successive visits.

• Manchester City came out on top in their meeting earlier in the season at the King Power Stadium thanks to a Kevin de Bruyne goal.

Potential Landmarks

• Erling Haaland could match the record for most goals scored in a 38-game Premier League season (32). The Norwegian finisher currently has 30 goals.

• Pep Guardiola’s side can equal the Club record of scoring at least three goals in six successive matches in all competitions.

• Jamie Vardy is set to become the first Leicester player to make 300 Premier League appearances.

• Jack Grealish is closing in on his 50^th Premier League appearance for Manchester City. An appearance against his former manager Dean Smith’s side will see him achieve it.