By james art The champions, who drew with title rivals Arsenal last month, had to dig deep to beat struggling Wolves and Southampton in their last two meetings.
They needed an injury-time goal from John Stones to win at Molineux and Saturday’s 1-0 triumph over Saints, thanks to an early strike from Erling Haaland, was a hard-fought affair.
Guardiola does not expect things to get any easier, especially with many opponents adopting defensive tactics to neutralize City’s threat, but he insists he is up for the challenge.
The Catalan said: “It’s difficult. Look at Wolves, how well they can play and look at Southampton now.
“They’re at the bottom of the league and, my God, if those teams are at the bottom of the league, what are you doing with the others? That’s my feeling.
“But I’m not surprised when you play Champions League, Premier League, Champions League, Premier League and everything else and Southampton have had a whole week to prepare for the game.
“In these types of games, if you don’t score the second or third goal, it’s difficult, it’s difficult, but accept the challenge.”
Defender Manuel Akanji believes the results show City are doing well against sides who are determined to disappoint them.
The Switzerland international said: “The fact that we score at least one goal in every game against 11 players in their own box might look easy from the outside but it’s difficult to play against.
“We’re doing a good job, keep attacking, crossing, pressing and at some point we’ll break them.”
Guardiola is now expected to make a number of changes for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Tottenham and says he will not risk anyone not being fully fit.
This appears to rule out the chances of Kevin De Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish or Jeremy Doku returning.
He said: “We are few, few people. I don’t know if I will think against Spurs, maybe some academy players. We’ll see.
“If the players are fine, they will play against Spurs, but if they are in doubt, I won’t take any chances, that’s for sure.”