Pep Guardiola has praised Albion’s organisation and the efforts of their central defenders.

But he stopped short of predicting how they would fare in the Premier League season.

Guardiola was impressed by how Chris Hughton set his side up to be tough to penetrate.

He referred to centre-backs Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk, as well as returning winger Anthony Knockaert, though none of them by name.

But a suggestion that he tipped the Seagulls to stay up was wide of the mark.

Guardiola said: “I’m not the right guy to speak about my opponent. I think they will have a chance.

“It’s not easy to be promoted and set up as soon as possible to see how is the Premier League. It must be different to the Championship.

“But I know the manager is top and they have the quality of players.

“They have strong central defenders and the guy who was injured – the winger who was so important last season - is coming back.

“They are so well organised and to attack them is not easy.

“But there are many teams in the Premier League like this.

“It will be tough for everybody – for teams who want to win the Premier League, who want to be in the Europa League and who want to stay in the Premier League.