Guardiola makes Toney prediction after Brentford star hit by lengthy betting ban
Pep Guardiola is backing Brentford striker Ivan Toney to come back from his eight-month betting ban as a better man.
Toney, 27, has been suspended after being diagnosed as a gambling addict when it emerged he broke FA regulations on 232 occasions - including placing 13 bets on his own team getting beat.
Manchester City boss Guardiola saw Toney score both goals as Thomas Frank’s side beat the champions 2-1 at the Etihad in November.
And ahead of City’s visit to the Gtech Community Stadium, he said: “I am not here to give lessons to everyone.
“Everyone has their problems and if he (Toney) made a mistake he must accept it.
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“There are things that cannot be forgotten, but I am pretty sure Toney will be better.
“I am very pleased his manager and club are supporting him because in the bad moments that we all have you must learn from it and it’s a new opportunity.”
Guardiola believes City’s final Premier League game is perfect preparation for the FA Cup Final clash with Manchester United on Saturday and their Champions League showdown against Inter Milan in Istanbul seven days later.
He added: “Look what Thomas Frank has done. Not getting promoted, then getting promoted - and then look what has happened last season and this season.
“This is consistency. They have beaten most of the top six and they are so difficult to play against.
“How they sustain the long balls and second balls, how they sustain the long throw-ins, free-kicks and corners.
“In that they are the best team in the Premier League because they have a decisive aspect.”
Will Brentford do the double over Man City? Have your say in the comments section
Ivan Toney scored Brentford's winner away at Manchester City (Getty Images)Guardiola has issues with his own talismanic striker.
Erling Haaland has scored 52 goals this season, but has only found the back of the net once in his last six appearances.
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The City boss revealed that Haaland promised him goals after drawing a blank against Liverpool on his debut in the Community Shield.
And he reckons the Norwegian is saving something special for the games that really matter.
Guardiola said: “I am not going to doubt the scoring machine Erling right now.
“He’s had chances, but maybe he is waiting for the right moment. He will be ready to score when it matters.
“I am very pleased with all that he's achieved and the determination he has is still there.
“Erling could say ‘nom no I'm waiting for the two finals’, but he is the complete opposite of that.”
Top scorer Erling Haaland has broken records in his first Manchester City season (AFP via Getty Images)Guardiola added: “I don't feel that Erling has much pressure.
“At 22 years old, he handles the expectation with that he laughs. When he hears people with no respect he laughs.
“I remember the Community Shield, we lost 3-1 and he missed one clear chance.
“All the people talked about that and I remember all the memes about him.
“We didn't know each other then, just one month working together.
“But Erling said to me ‘don't worry I'll score goals'.
“He is this type of guy. He has incredible self-confidence and he will never lose that.
“You are defined as a footballer by how you react to the bad moments.”
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