Pep Guardiola 'could not care less' about Premier League table in title race ahead of Manchester City's clash with Newcastle

The Premier League title race is hotting up after Arsenal dropped points unexpectedly against Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek, potentially leaving the door open for Manchester City to further close the gap at the top. City host Newcastle United at The Etihad on Saturday night - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - but manager Pep Guardiola said he "could not care less" about the league table.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he "could not care less" about the Premier League table before his side's game against Newcastle United on Saturday night.

The gap to leaders Arsenal is now just five points - and City have a game in hand - after Mikel Arteta's team conceded late on to draw 2-2 against bottom side Wolves on Wednesday.

But Guardiola insisted his focus is simply on the Newcastle game - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ from 19:00 UK time.

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Asked if he had discussed the state of the title race with his players, he said: "I didn't talk about that for one second. Just Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle.

"I didn't talk about the table, or our position or something like that. I could not care less. It's 12 games [still to play].

"If you ask me this question with two or three games left, I will have your answer. It's 12 games left, it's an eternity.

"Twelve [more] games is a lot, like I said before. So Newcastle is my only concern.

"We will be concerned about the League Cup final against Arsenal when it is coming up, but for now it is Newcastle, a rest and after it, Leeds. It has always been like that."

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Video credit: TNT Sports

He added: "They were nine points [clear] when we had a game in hand, so whenever everybody is on the same fixtures and games being played, then after we will see the difference.

"Many things [are] going to happen. I said weeks ago. Many things are going to happen until the end of the season."

Guardiola: 'They don't have the experience'

While Guardiola has remained coy about his side's chances of winning the title, he did suggest a lack of experience could hinder City.

Of the current squad, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Rico Lewis, John Stones, Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden, Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, Rodri, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland have all won the Premier League with City.

But Guardiola pointed to the influx of new players when asked if his side could have a mental advantage over Arsenal.

"70% of the players are new, so they don't have the experience to live these kinds of situations," he said.

"An experience is to win tomorrow. It is only one."

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Guardiola was also asked whether City would benefit from a week off after their FA Cup win over Salford, and said: "We have a lot of months [ahead] with no midweek days off, playing every weekend and midweeks.

"I don't have to run one metre, so for me it is not a problem. After one or two days I sleep well, it is enough.

"For the players it is really good. They have one or two weeks to rest - this one and the next one - to forget and train good. They trained good the last two days."

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How to watch Manchester City v Newcastle United

Manchester City v Newcastle United will be live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and discovery+.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

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For the latest information on which football matches are on TNT Sports, click here.

Here is the TNT Sports schedule and TV guide. And for the full Premier League schedule, click here.

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