Espanyol are riding high in fourth in La Liga with seven wins from seven at Cornella-El Prat, and when Guardiola's Barcelona visit on Saturday they have promised to give their neighbours a traditionally hostile reception.
"It's a game with a lot of rivalry and intensity from both sides," Espanyol's Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters. "It will be disputed rather than aggressive. I believe in positive rather than negative aggression."
Espanyol have a good record of ruffling Barca's feathers and in the corresponding fixture back in April, Guardiola's team were uncharacteristically defensive in outlook.
"The two sides are in great form, each with their own qualities," Barca captain Carles Puyol told reporters. "It will be very tough... it is the most difficult away trip we have left this season."
Puyol's statement demonstrates the respect Barca have for Espanyol given that they still have to visit Real Madrid, who face Sevilla on Sunday.
Jose Mourinho's side are two points behind leaders Barcelona in second, and have recovered from their mauling in the 'clasico' to win three in a row.
The former Real Mallorca boss has only been at Sevilla two months since replacing Antonio Alvarez, and he has seen his side's confidence ebb as they slipped to 11th.
"It was important to savour something that felt like a victory again," Sevilla striker Frederic Kanoute told the club website.
"We have changed our mentality and this will help us with respect to other competitions."
