With the reigning champions and league leaders on a magnificent run of 12 straight league wins, Guardiola also needs just one more point to bring up 500 points in his five-and-a-half-year City tenure.
However, the trip to the St Mary’s Stadium will present another formidable challenge.
The Saints claimed a point from a goalless draw at the Etihad earlier this season and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have proved testing opponents against City in recent years.
CITY+ | SIGN UP TO ACCESS EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
And asked at his pre-match press conference about the prospect of potentially breaking the 500-point barrier, as well as the general mood in the City camp after such a fine run of form, Guardiola was unequivocal in his response.
“I am just focused on the Southampton game,” the boss stressed.
“I couldn’t care less [what we have done] it is past. My focus in the last week is on Southampton, that’s all.
“I am not thinking about that (reaching 500 points). It will happen sooner or later. It (my focus) is Southampton.
“We struggled in the first leg last season when we played there. It’s a tough team. A really, really tough team.
“It’s always a tough game with the quality they have. The manager (Ralph Hasenhuttl) is exceptional, one of the best in the Premier League by far.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE OFFICAL MAN CITY PODCAST
“The players know we have an incredible challenge tomorrow.”
Looking further ahead to the trip to the St Mary’s Stadium, Guardiola also pointed to the danger and threat posed by Southampton and England midfielder James Ward-Prowse.
Along with his midfielder qualities, the Saints skipper is also a potent weapon from the set-pieces with the City boss describing him as one of the finest free-kick exponents operating in the game right now.
“Yes, he’s the best (free-kick) taker I ever seen, or is the best right now worldwide,” Guardiola stressed.
“(There is) No better taker than Ward Prowse. He is so good you maybe miss the quality as a player, he is a team player, great quality with and without the ball.
“But as a set-piece taker he is exceptional.”
How to follow Southampton v City on the Man City app
Manchester City travel St Mary’s on Saturday to face Southampton in the Premier League.
The game kicks off at 17:30 (UK) and we will have full coverage on the official Man City app, which provides everything you need in one place so you can stay close to the action.
Minute-by-minute text updates get under way in our Matchday Centre at 15:30 (UK), whilst our Matchday Live show starts one hour before kick-off.
Presenter Natalie Pike will be joined in the studio by Paul Dickov and Nedum Onuoha, who will be providing the usual mix of analysis and entertainment before the game begins.
Our guests will also be answering fans’ questions throughout the show and you can get involved by sending a WhatsApp to +447537186538.
They’ll reconvene at half-time and to share their thoughts on the opening 45-minutes and again after the full-time whistle for an in-depth debrief, which will include reaction from Pep Guardiola and a player.
During the game, you can enjoy live audio commentary in the Matchday Centre, as Alistair Mann and Shaun Goater guide you through the 90-minutes.
And, once the final whistle sounds, the app is the best place to relive all the action.
Highlights of the game will be made available for free at 19:15pm and CITY+ subscribers can watch a full 90-minute replay of the game at midnight.
The best way to follow Manchester City is by downloading the official app!
Download on your mobile phone or tablet via the Apple’s App Store or Google Play Store, or, if you already have the app, then simply visit the stores and update.
Don’t forget to turn push notifications on, that way you’ll get reminders of everything as the day unfolds.
