Messi can have more impact than Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't with the Manchester United squad that met up on Saturday night ahead of facing Manchester City in the derby, but the Blues won't be too concerned about whether he turns up at the Etihad or not.
Instead, Guardiola will be looking to which of his players can be matchwinners for City, and the key to that might be Ronaldo's world-class rival Lionel Messi.
Jack Grealish said he and Phil Foden looked at Messi's video before combining for their quality goal at Peterborough this week, to which Guardiola said they should continue basing their game on the Argentine. Maybe the pair can carry on that momentum into the derby and ensure Messi has more of an impact on the game than Ronaldo does.
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Calling Pep's bluff
Guardiola was in mischievous form in his pre-match press conference where he declared he would 'sign now' if it meant losing the derby and winning the Premier League. Then he told United that City will be 'defending deep' and playing on the counter to combat the visitors' pace. Was this a subtle attempt at mind games, or a genuine fear of United's attacking threats?
There's a reason that Guardiola rarely discloses tactics before a game, so don't take his comments this week on face value. Expect him to line City up to win the game, keep up the title push, and inflict another blow on United.
Home record needs improving
To achieve that victory, Guardiola will need to do something he's only managed once - beat United at home. In five home meetings, Guardiola has only masterminded one win in 2018, with United winning the last three visits. In fact, only three of the last 17 derbies have been won by the home side.
This is the first home derby with fans for City in two years, and it will need a full team effort on and off the pitch to break the trend of away wins.
Keeping Ronaldo quiet
Much of the narrative on the Red side of the city is about a faltering Cristiano Ronaldo, but Guardiola was having none of it this week, reminding City that the Portuguese needs just one chance to score.
He told City to keep the ball as far away from Ronaldo as possible, which is wise advice. Keep Ronaldo quiet, and United's forwards frustrated, and City will have a far easier route to victory.
Of course, the news that Ronaldo wasn't with the United squad last night as they gathered before the game could mean he doesn't feature at all, which could solve the problem all together.
Liverpool will be watching
City have an easier run of remaining games than Liverpool on paper, with this being one of the potential slip-ups that will have been earmarked on Merseyside as key in the title race.
Three points for City will send a message to Liverpool that the Blues have learned from the Spurs defeat and are back on track in the title race. Anything less, and the celebrations will be shared by United and Liverpool fans in a rare display of unity between those sides.
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