Pep Guardiola cautious of Bristol City’s unbeaten run forward of FA Cup conflict

Manchester City might have prevented drawing a fellow Premier League crew within the FA Cup fifth spherical however supervisor Pep Guardiola doesn’t really feel their progress is assured towards Championship facet Bristol City who’re on a 12-match unbeaten run.

Bristol City, which is managed by Nigel Pearson, has been unbeaten in all competitions for the reason that final week of December, shifting as much as thirteenth within the second-tier Championship.

The final time the 2 groups confronted one another at Ashton Gate, Manchester City edged Bristol City 3-2 within the League Cup semi-finals second leg in 2018 en path to Guardiola’s first trophy with the English membership.

“From my experience in this country, in the last six years, when you go (play) away in the FA cup at a Championship team, it is always, always tough. (Playing at) home is a little different,” Guardiola instructed reporters forward of Tuesday’s conflict.

“Last 12 games – no defeat. That means they are there. My scouts are saying it’s a good team. The manager has experience, did really well with Leicester (City) and Watford when he was there one or two seasons ago.

“It’s a final. The FA cup is a really, really important competition, so it’s a serious team we will play tomorrow.”

Manchester City bounced again from two consecutive attracts to beat Bournemouth 4-1 over the weekend however Guardiola feels the crew can play higher because it sits two factors behind league chief Arsenal, who’ve a sport in hand.

“The way we are playing is good, results could be better. Sometimes it happens in football,” Guardiola stated.

“I have no complaints about how we are playing and how we are fighting. The mood in the locker room is exceptional and the guys are doing everything – that is enough for me.

“I have the feeling in the Premier League many things are going to happen, everyone is going to drop points. But we cannot drop any, we want to fight until the end.”

Guardiola confirmed influential midfielder Kevin De Bruyne remains to be affected by “a little bit of illness” after sitting out the journey to Bournemouth whereas he may also take a late name on defenders John Stones and Aymeric Laporte.