Manchester City‘s 3-1 win over Wolves (September 21) was their sixth consecutive Premier League (PL) victory, and a 16th straight league game without a draw (W12, L4). Interestingly, they haven’t witnessed a goalless first half in 12 PL matches since they traveled to Leicester City back in February.
The ‘Citizens’ are unbeaten in 11 home league games (W10, D1) and have conceded just one goal across their last seven PL matches at the Etihad. Their last three such fixtures featured both one goal inside the opening 15 minutes and at least one after the 80th minute, while they have not lost a PL home opener since their return to the top flight in 2002/03 (W12, D6).
Leicester have also made a flying start to their PL campaign, winning both opening games by scoring 3+ goals. Interestingly, 12 of the last 26 goals (46.15%) that their league games produced came after the 70th minute, and none of their last 15 PL games saw them receive more than two yellow cards.
On the road, the ‘Foxes’ have struggled recently, with victory over West Bromwich Albion (Sep 13) a first away league win in nine attempts (D3, L5). More ominously, they have won only one of the last six PL H2H encounters as the visiting side (L5), conceding an average of 2.33 goals per game therein.
Players to watch: Manchester City’s Phil Foden has scored in each of his two competitive domestic outings this term, registering his side’s second goal of the game on each occasion.
Jamie Vardy (LEI) netted twice against West Brom after the 70th minute. Seven of his last eight PL strikes have now come after the 60th minute and he bagged the opener in last season’s corresponding fixture.
Hot streak: Man City were 2-0 up at HT in each of their last six PL matches.