Having managed in the Premier League for eight full seasons, Pep Guardiola is well aware of the threat every team poses to his Manchester City side at the start of his ninth campaign at the club.
Despite winning the Premier League with an impressive 91 points last season, City lost games to teams they would be expected to defeat otherwise such as Wolves and Aston Villa.
However, such is the unpredictable nature of the Premier League, with teams capable of even springing a surprise on Pep Guardiola’s men.
As a result, even a team of City’s class and winning mentality cannot afford to take any fixture for granted.
Especially during an era of the Premier League where an individual case of dropped points could be the difference between first and second place.
Guardiola admits one Premier League team will pose a huge test for Man City
With managers in charge of teams that are outside the ‘Big Six’ also being top-quality such as Eddie Howe, Andoni Iraola and Sean Dyche to name a few — it would be a fool’s errand for any top coach to write such sides off.
A serial winner like the £378,846-a-week man seemingly does not — explaining City’s resounding success over the past few years.
It seems improbable that the Catalan tactician will this season as well.
Speaking to Men In Blazers, Pep Guardiola was initially quizzed about which teams he expects to challenge Manchester City for the league title.
The two-time treble-winner responded: “Arsenal, ten to ten, for sure. Liverpool, we will see because the transition after Jurgen [Klopp] always is not easy but pre-season for Arne Slot has been amazing.”
Pep Guardiola went on to reveal that with Newcastle United not in Europe this campaign, Manchester City will “tremble” once they face them.
“And the other teams, you have to see. You ask me now, Tottenham will be there, for the way they play, Newcastle will be back because it’s one game-a-week, they don’t have European competition. And the energy that they play with, the physicality that they play with, with just one game a week, we’ll be trembling. We will be trembling when we play against them.”
Guardiola concluded: “And of course, United, with a lot of signings that they have done, Chelsea with all the signings that they have done, all the teams, Aston Villa, we’ll see how they handle playing Champions League and Premier League but yeah, six, seven teams will be there, will be a difficult top four again.”
Pep Guardiola will especially be wary of Man City facing Newcastle away
While facing Newcastle is a tough test for any team in England, Pep Guardiola will especially be wary of the challenge they pose to his Manchester City side at St. James’ Park.
In the last two seasons, the contests between both sides at one of English football’s most daunting stadiums have took a lot out of City.
During the 2022/2023 season, the English giants had to fight back from 3-1 down to rescue a 3-3 draw at St. James’ Park.
Last season, it took astounding goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Oscar Bobb for Manchester City to come back from 2-1 down to beat Newcastle in the dying embers of the clash — emphasising how difficult Eddie Howe’s side can make any game for their opponents.
The Magpies’ incredible home support coupled with their breathless brand of football makes St. James’ Park a cauldron.
After all, Newcastle thrashed Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 at their own turf in the Champions League during the previous campaign as well.
Pep Guardiola has every right every right to be wary of Eddie Howe and Co. — especially during a season where a lack of competing in any European competition will ensure they are well-rested and refreshed.
