Manchester City’s opening day record is simply frightening

When Pep Guardiola steps out at the Etihad for the first time in the Premier League on Saturday evening, he’ll have every reason to feel confident that his Manchester City side can inflict a heavy defeat on David Moyes’ Sunderland.

Though that confidence will largely come from City’s recent record against the Black Cats (winning the last five meetings, scoring 16 goals in the process), it’s hard to ignore just how great the Citizens do on the opening weekend of the campaign.

They’ve taken a staggering 19 points from a possible 21 in the last seven seasons, an amount which can’t be matched by any other team. In fact, the only team that comes close is Chelsea, with 17 points picked up from their last seven day ones.

But while the West London outfit have scored 17 goals (including six in one game against West Brom) in the last seven opening day fixtures, City have gone one better, managing to find the net 18 times.

And their defensive record isn’t too bad either – having kept six clean sheets in their last seven opening day games.

2015-16 West Brom 0-3 Manchester City

2014-15 Newcastle United 0-2 Manchester City

2013-14 Manchester City 4-0 Newcastle United

2012-13 Manchester City 3-2 Southampton

2011-2012 Manchester City 4-0 Swansea

2010-11 Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 Manchester City

2009-10 Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Manchester City

But how does their new boss fare on day one? Is his record as incredible as his new team’s?

Aside from a 1-0 defeat in his first ever league game in charge of Barcelona, Pep’s record is also one to be admired, having won his last 6 opening day fixtures, scoring 21 goals in the process.

If City fans could choose a scoreline to win by this Saturday, the stats prove it would be 4-0.

That’s because the only two occasions where City have won an opening day fixture by that score in the Premier League, they’ve gone on to lift the title in May.

4-0 is currently priced at 10/1, and should Pep’s men win by that margin, we’d recommend getting on them to win the Premier League outright.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.