PULIS BACKS BAGGIES TO WEATHER STORM THE BOY WUNDER
West Bromwich Albion have lost 14 of their last 15 Premier League games against Manchester City, (D1) including losing the last 11 in a row.
On only two previous occasions have WBA lost 12 consecutive league matches against a single opponent – versus Chelsea (1989-2011) and versus Liverpool (19852010).
There have only been two longer winning runs against a single opponent in Premier League history than Manchester City’s 11-game run versus West Brom: Man City vs Newcastle (12 wins ending in October 2015) and Man Utd vs Wigan (13 wins ending December 2011).
Only against Arsenal (65) and Aston Villa (65) have West Bromwich Albion lost more league matches in their history than versus Manchester City (64).
25 points is Manchester City’s joint-best points return after the first nine games of a Premier League season alongside (2011-12). The only team with more points at this stage of the season were Chelsea (27) in 2005-06.
West Brom have won just two of their 18 Premier League games since April 1st 2017 (W2 D6 L10). Over this period, Tony Pulis’ side have won fewer points than any ever-present Premier League club (12) and even fewer than Newcastle (14 from nine games).
Manchester City have already enjoyed a victory at the Hawthorns this season, winning 2-1 there in the EFL Cup. Their opening goal that night was scored by Leroy Sane (above, with Pep Guardiola) and ended a sequence of 52 passes involving every City player at least twice. No outfield West Brom player touched the ball until WBA kicked off again.
Sergio Aguero has had a hand in 11 goals in 10 Premier League appearances against West Brom (seven goals, four assists), averaging a goal or assist every 63 minutes.
Kevin De Bruyne has been involved in a team passing sequence for 19 open-play goals and 77 open-play shots this season in the Premier League – both more than any other player in the competition.
Leroy Sane has both scored and assisted in three of his last four Premier League appearances for Manchester City. The German has been involved in nine goals in his last six Premier League games for the club (five goals, four assists).