Pep Guardiola says victory in Tuesday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Luton Town would leave City ideally poised going into what the boss says is the most enjoyable part of the season.

Tuesday night’s tough trip to Kenilworth Road will conclude a draining February that has seen City play seven games across three different competitions.

Despite that relentless run of fixtures, City have won every game bar one draw across the month and remain firmly in the hunt to retain the Premier League title along with the Champions League and FA Cup trophies which we also lifted last term.

And addressing the media ahead of the visit to Kenilworth Road, the boss couldn’t disguise his sense of anticipation and excitement as the business end of the campaign looms large.

“After the game February is over, and there are just three months until the end of the season and we arrive here still being there,” the City boss declared.

“Tomorrow is a final like the Premier League is in every game and, of course in the Champions League too, so the decisive period of the season is here in front of us.

“It’s not far away in front of us and we’re going for it.

“It’s a good test to see how our rhythm, and our mental consistency to what we have for the next month and everybody knows what we are going to play for.

“[Is it the most enjoyable part of the season?] Yes. It’s better to play for that than being 10th in the table. If you lose, bye bye. It’s so nice.

“In October, September, the expectations are far, far away and in that moment you don’t think about titles.

“We will see at the end of March and beginning of April - it depends on what we have done this month [and next]. 

“I said many times I adore to defend my players because of what they have done. I know how difficult it is.

“Still we have the humility and are humble and have the competitiveness to do it again.”

Luton v City app coverage

Our Official Man City App allows you to follow all of the action from the coast in one place.

Minute-by-minute text updates will begin in our Matchday Centre two hours before kick-off, with our Matchday Live show starting at 19:00 (UK).

Special guests Paul Dickov and Nicky Weaver will be in the City Studio with host Natalie Pike with FG and Shaun Wright-Phillips hopping into the show to say hello from Kenilworth Road.

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The guests will offer their expert insight before, during and after the match as well as answering viewer questions throughout the evening, with audience participation actively encouraged on Matchday Live. To get in touch, send a Whatsapp to: +447537186538.

During the game you can also listen to live audio commentary from Alastair Mann and Michael Brown while our text commentary continues.

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Make sure to have push notifications turned on too so you can be alerted to key moments in the action including goals, red card and team news.

You’ll be able to watch highlights and a full-match replay, via a CITY+ subscription, from midday the following day.