Manchester City out to equal Manchester United, Chelsea Premier League records versus Nottingham Forest

The reigning champions have made a perfect start to the defence of their title, winning each of their opening five matches, with Pep Guardiola's men seeking to become the first-ever team to win four successive Premier League trophies.

The Citizens have seen off Burnley, Newcastle United, Sheffield United, Fulham and West Ham United, beating the latter 3-1 away from home last weekend to maintain their position at the top of the table.

Should Man City claim maximum points in Saturday's clash with Forest, they will become just the second reigning champions to start a Premier League season with six consecutive victories after Chelsea back in the 2005-06 season.

Under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho, Chelsea went on to retain their top-flight title that season, winning 29 of their 38 games and picking up 91 points in total.

Man City will be confident of success at the Etihad as their form in front of their own fans, particularly since the turn of the year, has been an integral part of their recent success.

Since losing 2-1 to Brentford and then drawing 1-1 with Everton in their final two home fixtures of 2022, Man City have won all 12 Premier League home games in 2023, scoring 35 goals in the process.

Should the Citizens beat Forest on Saturday, they will become just the second Premier League team in the division's history to win each of their first 13 home matches in a calendar year after Man United in 2011.

The Red Devils' impressive 13-game run under Sir Alex Ferguson was ended in remarkable fashion when they suffered a historic 6-1 home defeat in the Manchester derby in October of the same year.

Despite boasting a 100% record so far this season, Guardiola believes that history has proven that strong starts are irrelevant, citing the club's prefect start in his first season in charge back in 2016-17 when they eventually finish third.

"When we arrived here seven or eight years ago we made six from six (at the start of the season in all competitions) and we finished third," Guardiola said at a press conference on Friday. "It's just the beginning.

"It's important to get points because the competition is hard, some of our opponents don't miss many points, but it's just the beginning so it's important to get points, definitely."

Earlier this week, Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper described a trip to the Etihad as 'the toughest game you can play', and Guardiola has urged his in-form City side to "prove it again" on home soil this weekend.

"It's a compliment, thank you so much to Steve," said the Catalan boss. "They were able to do an incredible game at Stamford Bridge and fought a lot versus Arsenal and Manchester United, [winning] 0-2 after a few minutes.

"Last season we couldn't win there but they did a good game, missed chances. We can't deny in the last year at home we feel good. Tomorrow we have to prove it again."

Man City cruised to a thumping 6-0 victory at home against Forest last season, with Erling Haaland scoring a hat-trick and Julian Alvarez netting his first two Premier League goals for the club.

Guardiola has provided a positive injury update on attacker Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic ahead of the clash with Forest, but Bernardo Silva, John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne all remain sidelined.