Guardiola expects a difficult encounter at Fulham | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola praised Fulham boss Marco Silva and says his sides are always difficult to break down.

Club News

Cityzens Christmas Countdown: Win a PS5 or Xbox bundle on Day One

City head to Craven Cottage on Tuesday night for a 19:30 (UK) kick-off where a win would see us close the gap at the top of the Premier League to two points for 24 hours at least.

GET YOUR CITY CHRISTMAS ESSENTIALS

But Fulham go into the game on the back of an impressive 2-1 victory at Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend while they have only been beaten at home once this season.

The City boss is expecting another tough game and says the Cottagers are improving each year under the guidance of Silva.

“Marco has been there many years there and always it has been a really tough game,” Guardiola said in his prematch news conference.

“[It will be] difficult. The organisation is exceptional and every year with the ball they’re even better.

“A tough, tough opponent, I saw their games against Chelsea, Arsenal and Sunderland and always it’s so difficult for the opponent to break them up.

“Always it has been in this beautiful stadium in London.”

Guardiola confirmed that Rodri will not be available for the trip to London and says he does not know if he will come into consideration for Saturday’s game with Sunderland.

Meanwhile, Bernardo Silva and Gianluigi Donnarumma are one game away from suspension after picking up four yellow cards this season.

The Italian keeper was booked in Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Leeds and asked about his record, Guardiola added: “Yeah he has a lot. He has many. It is what it is.”