Pep relaxed about the prospect of 15 games in nine hectic weeks for his Quad Squad

PEP GUARDIOLA says his Manchester City players are mentally and physically ready for the decisive Premier League run-in with title rivals Liverpool.

City will jump back to the top of the table today if they win at Fulham, as Jurgen Klopp’s Reds host Tottenham tomorrow afternoon. Champions City have not been in Premier League action for three weeks, but Guardiola insists they are ready for the final push to retain their title. Significantly, City have key men returning from injury, in particular midfield ace Kevin De Bruyne (left) and enforcer Fernandinho (below) as the season enters the home straight. Although City will be playing every few days between now and the end of the season as they chase the unprecedented Quadruple, Guardiola said they are relishing the challenge.

He said: “We spoke about that with the team.

“We’re privileged to be in all the competitions almost at the beginning of April and to fight for the title. It’s an incredible experience.

“I don’t know how many teams in Premier League history have been in this position, still fighting for four titles.

“We are – and it’s nice and it’s good. I think they are fresh mentally and in the legs, and we’re going to try.

“It won’t be easy with selection. Three or four players won’t go to Fulham, because we have 21 or 22.

“But then in three days we have Cardiff, then three days after that the semi-final of the FA Cup.

“Then after that the Champions League against Tottenham, then Crystal Palace on the Sunday – and I know how difficult it is at Selhurst Park.

“Then after that, Wednesday. Tottenham play Saturday, we play Sunday, so three days. But it is what it is.

“It’s nice to live like that.”

City are bidding to become the first team since Manchester United 10 years ago to win back-to-back Premier League titles, with Guardiola only too aware how difficult that task is.

“I didn’t tell the players that,” he said.

“They know it’s 10 years since it happened and we’ve heard from the beginning how difficult it is.

“For the next one-and-ahalf or two months together, there is no time for regret, no time to demand something from the other ones, our rival teams.

“We put everything we have into every single game, every single minute and every competition, to see how far we get.

“It’s still in our hands. We win all games and we’ll be champions. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy.

“Honestly, maybe with the amount of games we have, with these fixtures, maybe we will drop points.

“But that’s why I don’t think too much. Fulham first and win the game. That’s all.”