Erling Haaland is on the brink of making English football history – Stat Preview: Manchester City vs West Ham (Premier League)

Manchester City look to continue their winning run as they host a West Ham side who have suffered back-to-back defeats at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola and his players welcome David Moyes’ side to the Etihad just three days after picking up three points at Craven Cottage, thanks to a first-half wonder strike from Julián Álvarez.

Against Fulham, the Premier League’s runaway top goalscorer Erling Haaland gave Pep Guardiola’s side the lead by converting from the penalty spot to reach 34 goals this season just minutes into the contest.

However, the Cityzens were soon pegged back after Carlos Vinicius levelled the scoreline with a fine finish of his own, following a clever knockdown by Harry Wilson. Alvarez then restored his team’s lead with a strike worthy of being named goal of the season into the top left corner of Bernd Leno’s net.

After picking up a valuable three points in the title race, Pep Guardiola and Manchester City’s attentions now turn to the visiting West Ham, as they hope to continue their remarkable form into the most decisive phase of the ongoing campaign.

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

Manchester City

• Manchester City have picked up maximum points in each of their last 24 Premier League fixtures on a Wednesday, since losing 2-1 against Leicester City in December 2018.
• Manchester City have conceded in nine of their past 11 Premier League games.
• Erling Haaland has now equalled Alan Shearer and Andy Cole for the most goals in a single Premier League season (34).
• Manchester City have only kept a clean sheet in 10 of their last 32 league games of their league matches, their worst record since 2009/10.
• Scoring 997 goals, Manchester City are just three goals shy of reaching 1000 goals during Pep Guardiola’s tenure.

West Ham

• West Ham have only 12 points away from the London Stadium, a tally which ranks them 16^th for away form in the Premier League.
• Having drawn three and lost seven of their fixtures, West Ham have not won against any of the current top six.
• Jarrod Bowen has not scored in each of his last 21 Premier League away appearances.
• West Ham have lost 23 of their 26 Premier League away games against the defending champions, with Jermain Defoe scoring in their sole win against Manchester United in December 2001.
• Despite only scoring four goals from corners in their previous 27 matches, West Ham have now netted six goals in as many matches via the same method.

Previous Meetings

• In their last 14 league matches against Manchester City, West Ham have failed to win once.
• West Ham last defeated a Manchester City side in September 2015 by a 2-1 scoreline.
• Manchester City dominated the reverse fixture at the London Stadium with 75% possession and a 2-0 scoreline. Erling Haaland scored both goals.
• Manchester City have managed to score at least two goals in 15 of their last 18 meetings with West Ham.
• David Moyes is winless in 10 matches against Pep Guardiola.

Potential Landmarks

• Despite unlikely to feature, Kevin de Bruyne could make his 350^th appearance for Manchester City.
• Ilkay Gündogan is closing in on 300 appearances for Manchester City.
• Bernardo Silva is closing in on 300 appearances for Manchester City.
• Nathan Ake is closing in on 50 Premier League appearances for Manchester City.
• If Erling Haaland scores, he would become the all-time leading goal scorer for a single Premier League season (35).