Manchester City will be looking to equal two of Chelsea's English top-flight records when they face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Citizens suffered their first defeat of the season on Wednesday night when they were beaten 2-1 by Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16 of the EFL Cup.
However, Pep Guardiola's side remain the only team who are yet to taste defeat in the Premier League this term and currently sit top of the table after nine matches (W7 D2), one point clear of Liverpool in second place.
Man City are in fact enjoying an exceptional club-record 32-game unbeaten league run (W26 D6) which dates back to December 6, 2023 when they lost 1-0 Aston Villa.
So far, 2024 has been a successful year for the reigning Premier League champions, as they are unbeaten in all 28 league matches this calendar year, winning 23 times and drawing just five.
Only two teams in English top-flight history have ever had a longer run without defeat from the start of a calendar year - Chelsea in 2005 (29 games unbeaten) and Nottingham Forest in 1978 (35 games unbeaten).
Man City will equal Chelsea's record if they avoid defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday, while they would need to remain unbeaten for another six games to match the all-time record held by Forest.
© Imago
Man City looking to equal all-time top-flight winning record
Although Man City are currently dealing with an injury crisis, there is reason for Guardiola and co to be optimistic of success on Saturday, as they have never lost to the Cherries in 21 previous meetings in all competitions (W19 D2).
The Citizens have come out on top in all 14 Premier League encounters with Bournemouth by an impressive aggregate score of 45-7, including a thumping 6-1 home win and a narrow 1-0 away victory last season.
Should Man City beat Andoni Iraola's side this weekend, they will equal the top-flight record of 15 consecutive wins against a single opponent set by Chelsea versus West Bromwich Albion between 1984 and 2011.
Guardiola, who has won all 12 encounters with Bournemouth as Man City boss, has confirmed that he has 'many injury doubts' in his first-team squad, including winger Savinho who was stretchered off against Spurs with a "strong knock" and "no fracture".
A late call will be made on Savinho's availability against Bournemouth, while Manuel Akanji (groin) and Josko Gvardiol (knock) are thought to be minor doubts and could be involved this weekend.
However, Rodri (ACL) and Oscar Bobb (leg fracture) remain long-term absentees, while Kevin De Bruyne (groin), Kyle Walker (knee), Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish (both unspecified) are not expected to feature.
Oliver Thomas
