Will Manchester City avoid 4th consecutive defeat? See what Pep has to say

Manchester City FC manager Pep Guardiola is dealing with a weird predicament since he faces the unfortunate prospect of losing four consecutive matches for the first time if his team is defeated by the Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.

City were knocked out from the League Cup owing to falling short to Tottenham Hotspur. That was followed by their defeats to AFC Bournemouth and Sporting CP by margins of 2-1 and 4-1 respectively.

However, Guardiola is positive that the team that trails league leaders Liverpool by two points can get their campaign back on track.

“There always is a first time (to lose four straight), hopefully it is not the case,” Guardiola told reporters. “Twenty minutes against Fulham we were not good, against Bournemouth we were not good, but the rest of the games we were good. We are good. We will see what happens.”

Back in 2016-17, City had gone six games without a win – which was Guardiola’s first campaign in-charge of the team. Jack Grealish won’t be back from injury, though he is included in England’s squad for the international break.

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John Stones and Ruben Dias, who were also absent on Tuesday, are not expected to return for their clash with Brighton.

“No good news,” the manager said. “The same, I think, as Lisbon.”

While City midfielder Bernardo Silva said the team are “in a dark place” after their humbling loss in Portugal, Guardiola said his players are not in any need of extra reassurance.

“I don’t think so. Of course, we are not used to losing three games in three different competitions but it is football and it has happened,” the Catalan said.

“We know the reason why we struggle but we are looking forward to this game and after the international break, and after that a few players will be back and recovered. All the little problems we have with players will be solved. I hope.”

With his managerial contract set to expire at the end of this season, Guardiola was asked whether he had a trip to Abu Dhabi to meet with City’s owners planned for the international break.

“No,” was all he would say on the subject.

Guardiola signed his last two contract extensions during November international breaks.

(With Reuters inputs)