Man City looking to avoid unwanted club record in Southampton Premier League clash

Manchester City will try to avoid setting an unwanted club record when they welcome Southampton to the Etihad Stadium for Saturday's Premier League clash.

The Citizens will be in high spirits after they swept past Sparta Prague in midweek to break the record for the longest unbeaten run in Champions League history.

That result also maintained Man City's unbeaten start to the 2024-25 season, having avoided defeat in all 13 of their competitive matches this term.

After taking 20 points from eight league matches, the Premier League champions will head into the weekend in second place and one point adrift of leaders Liverpool.

With Liverpool set to face Arsenal on Sunday, Man City will have the chance to move into top spot when they face newly-promoted Southampton on Saturday afternoon.

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Man City out to avoid unwanted record

Man City's focus will be on producing another strong display to claim a fifth consecutive victory in all competitions.

However, they will also be keen to avoid setting an unwanted club record by keeping a clean sheet in Saturday's home fixture.

Having failed to record a shutout in their last eight home league matches, Man City are at risk of going nine Premier League home games without a clean sheet for the first time in their history.

Pep Guardiola's side have not kept a Premier League clean sheet at the Etihad Stadium since playing out a goalless draw with Arsenal in March.

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Haaland looking to end mini-drought

Erling Haaland scored a brace in midweek to take his overall tally for the season to 13 goals from 12 competitive appearances.

The Norway international has registered 10 of those efforts in the top flight, making him the leading scorer in the Premier League this term.

However, while he may be leading the scoring charts, Haaland has failed to find the net in his last three league appearances against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Fulham and Newcastle United.

In fact, the Norwegian has not scored a Premier League goal since he scored the opener in a 2-2 home draw against Arsenal on September 22.

As a result of the mini-drought, Haaland has gone three consecutive Premier League games without a goal for just the second time in his Man City career.

The 24-year-old may fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet on Saturday, having netted three goals in his previous two top-flight appearances against Southampton.