What is the Premier League points record? Can Manchester City break it this season?

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Pep Guardiola Man City 2020:21 Premier League trophy

Manchester City and Liverpool have been head and shoulders above the rest as they battle at a distance for the 2021-22 Premier League crown. 

The race isn't over yet, with one match remaining in the season. Liverpool is one point behind Manchester City, who are attempting to win their fourth league title in the last five seasons. 

These two teams haven't dropped many points all season. Man City have taken 90 of a possible 111 points (21 points dropped), while Liverpool have dropped just one additional point. 

With just three points still left on the table this season it wouldn't be a surprise to see both sides finish strong. Liverpool won 10 straight and Manchester City won 12 consecutive matches earlier this season.

A close to perfect run-in would make for some heady point totals. Below we look at the greater historical context to see where Man City and Liverpool would fit into that conversation.

Premier League Table (updated as of Sun, May 22)

Place Team Points Games Goals Goal Diff.
1. Manchester City 90 37 96 +72
2. Liverpool 89 37 91 +66
3. Chelsea 71 37 74 +42

MORE: Current Premier League standings, table & races

What is the all-time Premier League points record?

The Premier League record for points in a 38-match season is 100, which was accomplished by Pep Guardiola's Man City just four seasons ago in one of the greatest domestic campaigns in English history.

That 2017-18 season, Man City failed to win just six of its 38 matches, losing just once. The club pieced together a 15-match winning streak, which also remains the English top-flight consecutive wins record.

City also set the Premier League single-season goals scored and goal differential records that same season, with 106 goals scored and a +79 goal differential.

Sergio Aguero lit up the scoresheet, scoring 21 Premier League goals that season, finishing third in the Golden Boot race behind Mo Salah and Harry Kane. He had plenty of help, with Raheem Sterling bagging 18 goals and Gabriel Jesus scoring 13 more.

MORE: Updated favorites for Premier League promotion & relegation

Most points in a Premier League season

Here's the updated list of teams with the most points in a Premier League season since the English top-flight was relaunched in 1992-1993. Only five clubs have ever achieved 90 points or more with Chelsea and Manchester United doing it three times each.

Both Liverpool and Manchester City could have another entry on this list if they have as successful a run-in as their fans hope to.

Rank Team Points (W-L-D) Season
1. Manchester City 100 (32W-2L-4D) 2017-2018
2. Liverpool 99 (32W-3L-3D) 2019-2020
3. Manchester City 98 (32W-4L-2D) 2018-2019
4. Liverpool 97 (30W-1L-7D) 2018-2019
5. Chelsea 95 (29W-1L-8D) 2004-2005
6. Manchester United 92 (27W-4L-11D) 1993-1994
7. Chelsea 93 (30W-5L-3D) 2016-2017
8. Manchester United 91 (28W-3L-7D) 1999-2000
  Chelsea 91 (29W-5L-4D) 2005-2006
10. Arsenal 90 (26W-0L-12D) 2003-2004
  Manchester United 90 (28W-4L-6D) 2008-2009

Can the Premier League points record be broken this year?

Manchester City can reach a maximum 93 points and Liverpool 92 points if they win their final match. That would place them both in the bottom half of the Top 10 all-time table above, but unable to break the overall record.

The single-season goals record and goal difference record are also out of reach: 

Goals Scored: Man City's 106-goals scored looked within reach for both Man City and Liverpool. With 96 goals scored heading into the final match, Man City will finish just short. The Reds are even further behind at 91 goals.

Goal Difference: The goal difference record is +79 and Man City (+72) got within range with some lopsided wins in the final stretch. But barring a stunning final day outcome, they will finish short, as will Liverpool (+66).

Author(s)
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Kyle Bonn is a soccer content producer for The Sporting News.
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