Pep Guardiola insists there is no advantage to playing first in the title race as Manchester City look to increase the pressure on leaders Arsenal.
Man City travel to face Southampton on Saturday evening with the champions eight points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race. Guardiola’s side have the chance to reduce that gap at St Mary’s, with the Gunners not in action until facing Liverpool the following day.
The Spaniard has talked down the importance of playing first this weekend however, insisting there is no advantage for his side.
“There is no advantage,” Guardiola told his pre-match press conference.
”When we played a title race against Liverpool, sometimes we played before, sometimes late. We have to win our games.”
Guardiola was asked for his view on the number of managerial sackings this season, with a record 12 top-flight coaches having been dismissed during the current campaign. This weekend’s opponents, Southampton, are responsible for two of those sackings and are on their third manager of the season in Rubén Sellés.
“It is modern times. It was difficult to sack managers before, now it is around the corner.
“If you don’t get results you are in danger.
“It would be difficult to analyse Southampton if their manager was appointed yesterday, but they’ve played a few games.
“The pattern is clear, but every team is playing for something; there is an important fight for the Premier League and to be in the Premier League.
“Every game has its own characteristic. We have to be ready.”
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