Guardiola prepared for the festive schedule
Hull City vs Manchester City
Competition: F.A. Premier League
Date: 5.15pm, Monday 26th December 2016
Venue: KC Stadium, Hull
Referee: Robert Madley Assistants:A Holmes, M Perry Fourth Official: J Moss
Odds: Hull 8/1, Draw 9/2, City 1/3
Tickets: Sold out
TV: Sky Sports
Hull City
Manager: Mike Phelan
Squad (from): Jakupovic, Mannion, Masrshall, Kuciak, Davies, Maguire, Dawson,Robertson, Lenihan, Meyler, Huddlestone, Snodgrass, Clucas, Livermore, Maloney, Elmohamady, Diomande, Olley, Clackstone, Hinchcliffe, Weir, Mbokani, Henriksen, Bowen
Injured: Hernandez, Keane, Odubajo, Luer, Bruce, McGregor
Doubtful: Mason, Tymon
Suspended: None
Form guide: LLDLDD
Manchester City
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Squad (from): Bravo, Caballero, Gunn, Adarabioyo, Clichy, Kolarov, Maffeo, Otamendi, Sagna, Stones, De Bruyne, Delph, Fernando, Fernandinho, Garcia, Navas, Silva, Sane, Sterling, Toure, Iheanacho, Nolito
Injured: Kompany, Zabaleta, Gundogan
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Aguero
Form guide: WWLDLW
Vincent Kompany, Ilkay Gundogan and Pablo Zabaleta miss out through injury, whilst Fernandinho returns from a three match ban. Sergio Aguero will serve the final game of his own four match suspension.
Manager Pep Guardiola is unfamiliar with the hectic winter schedule in England, but insists that his side will be prepared for the challenge of playing four games in the space of 11 days.
“We are going to train tomorrow and day after tomorrow,” he said. “The afternoon we will travel to Hull City by bus and then play on 26 and come back. We will prepare for that game like it is not Christmas time.
“I spoke to David Silva, with some players, and they gave me good advice about what it means to play on Boxing Day at Hull City.
“What I learn in my short time here is the gap between the first ten teams and last ten is not that big.
“Other people said before I came here how complicated all the games are, so I am not expecting easy games.
“We have to be prepared. It’s my first year here.
“Hull started quite well. Of course, the situation is not good but I saw many, many games and they are a special team.
“They try to play more than some of the teams here in the Premier League.”
City's last away game at the KC Stadium ended in a 4-2 victory, with Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko (2) and Frank Lampard getting the goals. Overall City have won 14 of the 28 games played against Hull, with 8 draws and 6 defeats.
Predicted line-up: Bravo, Sagna, Kolarov, Otamendi, Clichy, Fernandinho, Toure, Silva, De Bruyne, Sterling, Iheanacho
Score prediction: Hull 1 City 2