Guardiola predicts tight finish
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes the Premier League title race is so tight that it could be decided by goal difference this season.
The Citizens are currently three points behind leaders Liverpool, but know a win at the Reds' Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday night could take them back into top spot.
A week ago, Liverpool had an opportunity to move seven points clear at the summit, but two successive draws against Leicester and West Ham respectively, has swung the pendulum back in favour of the reigning champions.
The first message is to win the game and the second one is: if you can score, score, and if you can avoid conceding, do it, because maybe you could win the Premier League on goal difference.
Pep Guardiola
However, Guardiola is certain that his team will have to battle all the way until the end of the season if they are going to retain their crown, while he feels goal difference could also become a factor.
He said: "The first message is to win the game and the second one is: if you can score, score, and if you can avoid conceding, do it, because maybe you could win the Premier League on goal difference.
"While we are not going to say to the guys today we have to win 25-0 - I never say that - first you have to win the game and then second try [to score], because it can happen [winning the title on goal difference].
"I'm pretty sure the winner will be [decided by] the last fixture or the last two. I'm sure of that."
Guardiola is set to be without City skipper Vincent Kompany due to a muscle injury, but full-back Benjamin Mendy could be involved at Goodison Park following two weeks out with a knee issue.
City, who are 5/6 to win the title, are 2/7 to win at Everton, while the Toffees are priced at 10/1 the draw is 11/2.
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes the Premier League title race is so tight that it could be decided by goal difference this season.
The Citizens are currently three points behind leaders Liverpool, but know a win at the Reds' Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday night could take them back into top spot.
A week ago, Liverpool had an opportunity to move seven points clear at the summit, but two successive draws against Leicester and West Ham respectively, has swung the pendulum back in favour of the reigning champions.
The first message is to win the game and the second one is: if you can score, score, and if you can avoid conceding, do it, because maybe you could win the Premier League on goal difference.
Pep Guardiola
However, Guardiola is certain that his team will have to battle all the way until the end of the season if they are going to retain their crown, while he feels goal difference could also become a factor.
He said: "The first message is to win the game and the second one is: if you can score, score, and if you can avoid conceding, do it, because maybe you could win the Premier League on goal difference.
"While we are not going to say to the guys today we have to win 25-0 - I never say that - first you have to win the game and then second try [to score], because it can happen [winning the title on goal difference].
"I'm pretty sure the winner will be [decided by] the last fixture or the last two. I'm sure of that."
Guardiola is set to be without City skipper Vincent Kompany due to a muscle injury, but full-back Benjamin Mendy could be involved at Goodison Park following two weeks out with a knee issue.
City, who are 5/6 to win the title, are 2/7 to win at Everton, while the Toffees are priced at 10/1 the draw is 11/2.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com
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