Pep Guardiola has revealed he does not know what style of play to expect from Everton when they travel to the Etihad on Saturday afternoon to take on his Manchester City side.
But the City boss admitted he is aware of the potential threat of Dominic Calvert-Lewin following Frank Lampard's confirmation that the England international will be part of the Blues' travelling contingent to East Manchester.
Everton will make their short trip up the M62 off the back of their gut-wrenching defeat at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day, a game in which they scored first before Rayan Ait-Nouri fired a stoppage-time winner to secure all three points for Julen Lopetegui's team.
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Prior to the Premier League's World Cup hiatus, Lampard found himself the subject of ever-increasing pressure as defeats to Bournemouth and Leicester City saw his side hovering above the relegation places. And that's exactly where they remain going into the clash with the defending champions following the loss to Wolves.
Speaking ahead of the match, Guardiola has admitted he does not know what tactics his opposite number Lampard will deploy.
"I don't know what Everton will do, sometimes they press high but not last season," Guardiola told journalists at City's training base on Friday morning. "We have to know the transitions start from [Jordan] Pickford.
"The quality is there, they have exceptional players. In this period, everyone's thinking of New Year's Eve, the distraction can be a problem. Two days after Leeds, we have to be ready."
Under Rafa Benitez last season, Everton were wounded on their trip to City as goals from Raheem Sterling, Rodri and Bernardo Silva saw them fall to a comprehensive 3-0 defeat.
However, supporters will take solace from the return of Calvert-Lewin, who has seen his campaign plagued by injury. However, he could be handed a start this weekend with the Blues lacking a physical presence in attack. And that's something the City manager is more than cautious to.
"Unfortunately for him [Dominic Calvert-Lewin] he was injured for the last period, doesn't have the consistency to play," added Guardiola. "On top, he's exceptional, long balls, second balls. He's a dangerous player."
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