Pep Guardiola: Tottenham's Wembley pitch has prepared Man City for Newport's Rodney Parade

Trouble: Rodney Parade has seen a number of giant-killings
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Pep Guardiola claims Tottenham were the perfect preparation for Manchester City’s FA Cup clash with Newport.

The Premier League champions head to Wales on Saturday, knowing the Rodney Parade pitch is likely to be in a state after both Leicester and Middlesbrough became the victims of giant-killings on their trips to the League Two sides.

But Guardiola insists City’s clash with Spurs at Wembley just 24 hours after an NFL game between Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars in October means they know what’s in store for them.

“We give them a lot of respect,” said the City manager. “They’ve done incredibly in this competition, beating Leicester and Middlesbrough.

“They can do whatever they want (to the pitch). What they do, they do really well. We’ve watched as many games as possible.

“We played the Premier League at Tottenham when there were two NFL games three days before. If it happens in the Premier League then why shouldn’t it happen lower down?

“I’ve seen vintage games in England and all the pitches - it was normal. It was impossible to play on the grass.

“You don’t win anything complaining about that.”

City won 1-0 against Spurs, with the pitch playing a major factor as Erik Lamela skied a late chance to earn a point when the ball kicked up off the turf just before he struck a shot from 12 yards.

Guardiola was the victim of a giant-killing when losing to Wigan in the Cup last season – and has warned his players ahead of another David vs Goliath clash.

“When we play Premier League games, the players already know it,” he said. “They didn’t know the players - now they know.

“They are good in set pieces, throw-ins, they use the channels to put balls into the box.

“We will suffer because they are taller and stronger than us. In some areas, they are better than us so we have to find ways to be stronger than them.”

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