It’s a new kind of pressure.. I DON’T KNOW if we can handle it

Maybe people expected we would always be top, but we are Manchester City, we are not Liverpool or Manchester United. We are Manchester City.

“That is why it is nice after what we have achieved in the last decade to still be up there. Honestly, I don’t know if City can handle the pressure.

“What do I think? Yes, we are ready. I don’t have doubts – but honestly I don’t know. It’s the same as when we had a 10 or 11-point lead, if you asked me if we would maintain that distance for a long time, I don’t know.

“I have a game in my mind, I know what we want to do. I will speak with the players.

“That is what I feel – but I am not good enough to anticipate what is going to happen.”

But he added: “The reality is clear, we are seven points down. I have the feeling it is a big opportunity for us to reduce the gap. We are going to focus on what we have to do to win the game.

“Everyone is talking if we lose, but what happens if we win?

“We are going to try to make our game and to fight as far as possible for our chance to win the Premier League.”

Guardiola, who is expected to have Kevin De Bruyne fit again following a muscle strain, admits he lives for big games like these and he added: “It’s an incredible pleasure.

“I’m a manager to play these kind of games, to see what we can do on the big stage with a lot of people supporting us in our stadium. “It’s a dream to play these kind of games.

“It’s when I’m most calm, more relaxed. I know the players have the responsibility and will give the best performance that they can.”