Manchester City vs Burnley. The FA Cup Fourth Round.
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Guardiola: "This is the FA Cup against a Premier League team, Burnley. We are going to go with the strongest team to win the game."
Saturday 26 January 2019 00:06, UK
Pep Guardiola has promised to field a strong side as Manchester City take on Burnley in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
The City boss, who expects a tough challenge from Burnley, has taken both domestic knockout competitions seriously so far this season, and that attitude has not changed.
"Always I try to name a strong team," Guardiola said. "This is the FA Cup against a Premier League team, Burnley. We are going to go with the strongest team to win the game."
"When I hear that for Burnley, the FA Cup isn't the top (of the) agenda, do they not want to win? I don't believe it," he added. "They're going to try tomorrow to win."
City remain in contention for four trophies this season, but Guardiola refused to entertain quadruple talk.
"We are able to try to win tomorrow, the other is fantasy," he said at his pre-match press conference.
Burnley's trip to Man City is the first of three games in eight days for Sean Dyche's men, as they travel to Manchester United on Tuesday and host Southampton next weekend.
A recent upturn in form has seen the Clarets move three points clear of the relegation zone, but Dyche would still like to strengthen for the final stretch of the campaign, in order to maintain the competition for places in his side.
He said there was no reason to worry about a lack of activity, but a new face or two could still help.
"'Worry' is the wrong word, but you're always aware of it, because we've got a big second half of the season that has started, and we've started it well, but we've got to maintain that," he said.
"You've got to push the levels all the time. We want the pressure. I wanted to bring in more in the last window. I made that clear to everyone, not because I don't trust my players or rate them, because I do - but there's only so much pressure as a manager you can put on players.
"There's a different kind of healthy pressure which comes with new signings, with capable signings, because I was a player, and you look around and think, 'I've got to look after myself'. That can enhance performances."
None of the academy players who featured in Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final victory at Burton will be involved this weekend.
Captain Vincent Kompany remains on the sidelines, but otherwise Guardiola has a near full-strength squad available.
He said: "Except Vinnie, they're fit and everybody can play. Tomorrow, we are not going to play any player from the academy."
Left-back Benjamin Mendy is being eased back into action after knee surgery and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo (Achilles) has a long-term injury but City are otherwise close to full strength.
Meanwhile, Dyche has problems at right-back ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round clash against Manchester City.
Phil Bardsley and Matt Lowton are both significant doubts with knocks, meaning James Tarkowski could once again be asked to fill in.
Robbie Brady returns from suspension, while Johann Berg Gudmundsson could be involved after returning to training.
Sean Dyche will not just come here and lie down, but in truth, Burnley could just do with getting this game out of the way. I am not sure City should be favourites for the trophy, though. I like them in the EFL Cup as their second string are better than other back-up players, but teams are likely to go stronger in this competition. Plus, Pep Guardiola will prioritise the Champions League. They will win this one, though.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
