And that’s why the boss believes every game from now until the end of the term will provide a huge test to City and our title prospects.
Only seven days after comfortably beating Southampton 4-1, and four after beating Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League, we host the Saints’ relegation rivals Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 15 April – with kick-off scheduled for 17:30 (UK).
For a Foxes side who won the title in 2016 and competed in the Europa League in their last campaign, fighting to preserve their top flight status is somewhat unfamiliar territory as they turn to Dean Smith to help boost their survival hopes.
The fixture with the East Midlands side represents another meeting which could impact the outcomes at the top and bottom of the table before the season’s end.
And although 17 places separate City and the Foxes in the standings, Guardiola is expecting another tough battle this weekend.
“We played Tuesday, so we trained Wednesday morning. Wednesday afternoon [and we had] Thursday and Friday morning off. So they had two days off to clear their minds,” he said.
“Now we are going to prepare for Leicester. It doesn’t matter about [recent] results, and I have so fresh [in my mind] Southampton. Bottom of the league.
“We scored the first goal on 44/45 minutes. An excellent assist from Kevin [De Bruyne] and Erling [Haaland] was there. We suffered a lot.
“I had the feeling in this league if you are not there, you will drop points. It doesn’t matter the opponent, every team is playing for something.
“The best is when you play against [an] opponent that doesn’t matter what happens.
“They don’t fight not to be relegated, don’t play for Europa League, don’t play for Champions League, they are there on holiday.
“I think that is the best opponent to face in the last [weeks of the season]. I don’t have that feeling for many teams.
“Many teams are involved in the relegation places. How many teams are involved in the Europa League? Many teams can play Champions League. You cannot imagine.
“So, that’s why if you want to still be there until the end you have to perform well, otherwise it will be more difficult.”
Hear Guardiola’s full thoughts ahead of the meeting with Leicester in the video above!
