Despite Chelsea’s troubles, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is wary about facing them two weeks after thumping them 6-0 at the Etihad.
He felt that was a harsh scoreline and insists Chelsea are still a quality side.
City’s own 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge in December is a reminder of the threat posed by Sarri’s team.
“I don’t like to play the same team in a short period of time when you’ve beaten them so much,” he said.
“They are incredible professional players. They are proud and they will do extra against us.
“The situation is completely different. When we lost there and when we won here, my opinion of Sarri and his teams is always high.
“When we reviewed the game against us here, maybe people won’t believe me, but they did incredible things.”
Guardiola maintains that the scoreline was not an accurate reflection of their quality.
“When we lost there and when we won here, my opinion of Sarri and his teams is always high. When we reviewed the game against us here, maybe people don’t believe me but they did incredible things.
“They did many, many good things. That was my feeling. I’ve spoken to my staff and they had the same opinion.
“The pressure they had was quite good. They played good, but we were so clinical in that game. With our four or five chances, we scored three or four goals.”
Guardiola hopes Manchester United will do City a huge favour in the title race before kick-off at Wembley by beating rivals Liverpool .
Yet he says City will not watch the game at Old Trafford because they will be focused on their own preparations.
“I think we will be in the stadium changing, preparing, doing our warm-up, getting ready,” he said. “We won’t have time to look at that game.”