Pep Guardiola jokes that Manchester City will score 18 goals against Southampton

Having managed some of the best clubs in Europe, Pep Guardiola is no stranger to his sides recording emphatic victories, but he's predicting his Manchester City team to top the lot against Southampton on Wednesday.

Well, not quite. But it's still funny.

Despite seeing their 21-game winning streak end at the hands of Manchester United on Sunday, City are still well on course to win their third Premier League title in four seasons.

With Guardiola's men set to face a Southampton side who shipped nine on their last visit to Manchester, the City boss was asked for his prediction ahead of the Saints' trip to the Etihad Stadium - and he didn't disappoint.

“We will score 18. 18-0, this will be the result,” he sarcastically said, as quoted by the MEN. “What a question! They [conceded] nine when they played 88 minutes ten against 11.

“Do you think this is a joke? We are going to score nine goals or 18? Be serious. We are just trying to win the game. It would be an incredible success for us. Win the game, that’s all.”

Despite City's defeat to Man Utd last time out, Guardiola's side still hold a healthy 11-point lead at the top of the table.

However, the Catalan boss refuses to accept the remainder of the league season is a formality, claiming United can still catch them in the title race.

“When the option is open, everything can happen in football," he added. "Nobody thought we could win 21 in a row. Anything can happen. United can do it.

“We have ten games left and we have to win six or seven games to be champions mathematically. We’re going to try to win the first one tomorrow.”

Guardiola was asked to comment on whether Phil Foden and Sergio Aguero would be included in the City starting XI for the clash with the Saints, after both players started on the bench in the derby.

“Maybe, I will decide tomorrow," he said. "I have an idea in general of the guys who will play but I have a few doubts.”