MATCH FACTS

Manchester City have won six of their seven games against Belgian opponents in Europe (L1), including a 5-1 victory in their only previous meeting with Bruges (above, Cole Palmer celebrating after scoring the fourth goal, and (below, Kyle Walker celebrating the third).

Bruges are looking for their first victory against English opponents in Europe since February 1995 (1-0 v Chelsea in the Cup Winners’ Cup), having failed to win any of their last 13 attempts (D3 L10).

City have scored 21 goals across their previous seven games against Belgian opponents, at an average of three per game. Their 5-1 win against Bruges last time out was the joint-most goals a team has scored away to the Belgian side in the Champions League, along with Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-0 win there in October 2019.

Bruges have never won away from home against an English side in Europe. This will be their 14th attempt at doing so. They have lost 11 of their previous 13 such games, drawing twice.

City have won 80 percent of their home games in the Champions League since Pep Guardiola took charge (20/25 – D2 L3). Among those with 20+ home games managed, this is the highest win percentage by a coach with a single club.

Since losing five consecutive away games in the Champions League between November 2005 and October 2018, Bruges have only lost two of their nine such games since (W3 D4). They are looking to record consecutive away wins for the first time in the European Cup/Champions League.

City’s Jack Grealish has created more chances following carries (moving 5+ metres with the ball) than any other player in the Champions League this season. Overall, Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior (10) is the only player who has been directly involved in more shots than Grealish (9 – three shots, six chances created) following a ball carry.

Phil Foden, who set up City’s opener last time out, already has six assists to his name in the Champions League. The only player with more assists before turning 22 for English clubs in the Champions League is Cesc Fabregas (10 for Arsenal between 2006 and 2009).

No team has completed a sequence of 10+ passes on fewer occasions than Bruges (6) in the Champions League this season. Since the start of last season, City have made more than any other team (361).

Raheem Sterling has been directly involved in 24 goals in 27 home games for City in the Champions League, scoring 15 with nine assists. Only Sergio Aguero (27) has more combined goals and assists for the club in home games.