Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned his players to expect a "tough" test against Huddersfield Town on Sunday.
The defending champions welcome the Terriers to the Etihad Stadium for their first home game of the campaign this weekend, looking to build on their opening 2-0 victory away to Arsenal.
City needed a late goal to get past Huddersfield at the John Smith's Stadium last term and were then held to a goalless draw by David Wagner's side at home in May, and Guardiola is expecting another difficult encounter this time around.
"Last season was tough, those games. They defended so well. They are so tough - physicality, defensively strong, good set pieces, good throw-ins, good counter-attack, good high pressing. It was complicated last season and I imagine quite similar games," Guardiola told reporters.
"In this part of the season, all the teams, especially those with a lot of players at the World Cup, you need time - one month or a month and a half. In this period, these kind of games are so dangerous for the players. Games like this - and Wolves, Cardiff, Fulham - I prefer these teams in October/November.
"In this period the contenders, the big teams, history says always drop points. I remember last season we dropped points against Everton, and Bournemouth we won in the 96th minute. Always in this period games are so complicated. I guess it will be on Sunday."
Man City are unbeaten in all five of their meetings with Huddersfield since the turn of the century.
Barney Corkhill
