Tottenham Hotspur winger Dejan Kulusevski will be looking to equal a unique Premier League scoring record in Sunday's clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The Sweden international has established himself as a first-team regular at Spurs since the arrival of head coach Ange Postecoglou, starting all 13 Premier League games this season and completing the full 90 minutes on 10 occasions.
Kulusevski has found the net three times, scoring in wins over Bournemouth and Sheffield United in September and October respectively before making the net ripple in a 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea last month.
The 23-year-old is expected to retain his place in the starting lineup for this weekend's encounter at the Etihad, where he has had plenty of joy in front of goal in recent seasons.
Indeed, Kulusevski has scored in each of his last two visits to Man City, firstly scoring and registering an assist in a 3-2 victory in February 2022, before finding the net in a 4-2 defeat in January of this year.
Should Kulusevski score again on Sunday, he will become just the second player in Premier League history to score away against the reigning champions in three successive seasons.
© Reuters
The only other player to match that feat is former Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy when he scored in four consecutive visits to Man City during his time at Liverpool between 2000-01 and 2003-04.
Man City and Norwich City are the two teams that Kulusevski has scored the most goals against (two) in the Premier League since his arrival at Spurs in January 2022.
Kulusevski's three Premier League goals so far this season ranks joint-second among Spurs players along with the injured James Maddison, with Son Heung-min leading the way with eight top-flight goals.
Postecoglou is having to work with a depleted squad ahead of Sunday's trip to the Etihad as a total of 10 players are sidelined due to injury, while Cristian Romero is suspended.
Spurs have lost each of their last three Premier League games to Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa, losing 2-1 to the latter last weekend, and they have subsequently slipped down to fifth in the table.
However, Postecoglou's side have reason to be optimistic ahead of their clash with Man City, as the Lilywhites have won five of their last seven top-flight meetings with the Citizens, more than they managed in their previous 19.
Victory at the Etihad this weekend would see Tottenham draw level on points with Man City in second place, as well as keep them in touching distance with new leaders Arsenal, who could move four points clear at the top if they beat Wolves on Saturday.
Oliver Thomas
