Pep Guardiola believes his Manchester City players are ready to position themselves for glory over the course of a "terrible" February schedule.
The reigning Premier League champions will return to the top of the table above Liverpool on goal difference if they beat Everton at Goodison Park on Wednesday.
That fixture was moved forward to accommodate City's appearance in the EFL Cup final against Chelsea later this month – two weeks on from this Sunday's Premier League home match versus Maurizio Sarri's side.
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There is also the first leg of a last-16 encounter against Schalke in the Champions League and an FA Cup fifth-round tie to negotiate – leading Guardiola to conclude that the true peril of a season in England lies just beyond the fabled festive period.