"They gave me good advice about what it means to play on Boxing Day at Hull City," he told a news conference on Friday.
"We're going to train tomorrow (Saturday) and on the 25th, then get a bus in the afternoon to Hull. We're going to prepare like it's not Christmas."
Captain Vincent Kompany, who has not played since the middle of November, is still out with a knee injury while defender Pablo Zabaleta faces a late fitness test after picking up a knock in the 2-1 win over Arsenal.
Striker Sergio Aguero will serve the last game of a four-match suspension but midfielder Fernandinho has completed a three-match ban.
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"What I have learned in my short time here is the gap between the first 10 teams and last 10 is not that big," Guardiola said.
"Other people said before I came here how complicated all the games are, so I am not expecting easy games. We have to be prepared. It's my first year here.
"Hull started quite well. Of course, the situation is not good but I saw many, many games and they are a special team."
(Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru; Editing by Brian Homewood)
