Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City fans have been here before. And recently.

In 2012, they required victory over relegation-threatened QPR to be sure of winning their first title in 44 years.

As City headed into injury-time 2-1 down, and with nearest rivals Manchester United ahead at Sunderland, there were Blues writing resignation letters rather than face gloating work-mates on Monday morning.

But Edin Dzeko headed in before Sergio Aguero brought the house down, burying low and hard past Paddy Kenny in the fifth minute of injury time to spark merry bedlam.

Twenty-four hours before he names his squad for the World Cup, England manager Roy Hodgson has made one final stop-off at St Mary's...

Synchronised. The players come out of the tunnel at both Anfield and the Etihad. Anfield sounds expectant - but can they really pull this off?

Noel Gallagher speaking to the Manchester City website: "There are more nerves than there were for the QPR game, I've got to say. I can see them scoring and scoring first but I can't see us losing.

"Edin Dzeko is rubbish at football but he's great at goalscoring. I'm not even bothered if we win, as long as we get the trophy. My stomach was going this morning but I don't care if we win."

Former Tottenham striker Garth Crooks on Final Score

"No one thought Liverpool would have put together an 11-match unbeaten run - even Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson went on their holidays without a thought it could happen. All credit goes to Brendan Rodgers, but I do think the emotion, the occasion of winning the championship, has got to them in the end."

Danny Mills
at Etihad Stadium for BBC Radio 5 live

"I was here on Wednesday evening for the game against Aston Villa. The first half was a little cagey and there were nerves, but they were in the crowd. The players just continued the way they have played all season long, and they believed. That is the most crucial thing.

"I really don't see any other result than a Man City win today, and if they score early on they will win quite comfortably. City should be far too strong for West Ham."

A Liverpool fan has had a rummage in the loft this week and unearthed a 'Andy Caroll - angel of the north west' banner which is being proudly held up on the Kop. He will never have to buy a drink in Liverpool again if he helps them win the league today.

Here come the players...

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown on Final Score

"Sam Allardyce is probably looking at today as his last game as West Ham manager. The players love him and are really going to go for it.

"Andy Carroll can be a very difficult player - we're sitting here hoping it will be difficult, because we want to see a spectacle. But Man City have been in this situation before and should be able to cope."

Chief football writer Phil McNulty at Etihad Stadium

"A huge roar of approval sweeps around Etihad Stadium as Manchester City's players make their way off after the pre-match warm-up. Another banner reads "Manuel Pellegrini - The Quiet One". Quiet but effective on this season's evidence."

Rastamadeus:, external Re 1440, bless that United fan who bought that banner. All their success yet they're *still* obsessed with Liverpool. Cute, really.

Mike Webb:, external Surprised no-one has mentioned the fact that Liverpool could end up third. Massive choke from the manager and team.

Charlie Smith:, external Good to see two of the classiest managers competing for on the final day. Pelligrini suave and Rodgers inspirational this year.

The atmosphere really building in Liverpool and in Manchester now. An early goal for West Ham, or the longer it stays 0-0 at City, and it could get very, very interesting...

Jon, Bingley: People cite Gerard's slip but what about Kompany's hash that gave Liverpool victory? They all even themselves out in the end.

Mark: Not sure what other United fans think but Europa League next season? Big no no. Focus purely on getting back up the table. Genuinely optimistic for next season with Van Gaal if he joins. But then again I was optimistic about this season..."

MOTD's Steve Wilson at Anfield

In his preview to today's game at Anfield, MOTD commentator Steve Wilson has written a poem about Newcastle's traumatic season. He bills it as a lament about the seemingly irreconcilable divide between those who run the club and those who support it…

"Black and white shirts flogging pay-day loans,

Kinnear making Tyneside a no-buy zone,

Their one decent striker only there on loan,

Cabaye's bye-bye, the Gallowgate groan.

A trickle of goals running almost dry,

Stressed-out fans walking out on 69,

A head-butting manager's head on the line,

And just five wins since Boxing Day - you've got to ask, why?"

A banner quoting the lyrics to 'My Way' is held up in the Kop around the image of Steven Gerrard. He's always had a bit of Hollywood about him, but win the title today and there may just be a film made about Steven...

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown on Final Score

"Without doubt this has been one of the best Premier League seasons. Arsenal were top of the table for a long time, Chelsea had their moments, then Liverpool looked like they were going to win it.

"But I think City have just had that balance right, and they're not looking likely to fluff their lines today."

Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher speaking to the Manchester City website: "I'm buzzing for it. We just need to play our game and we're there. I feel alright, we're going to do it. I hope it's not like two years ago. That was a nightmare but it was good.

"Manuel Pellegrini's beautiful, I love him. I want him to adopt me."

Norwich are down no matter what happens today - and the camp are not happy about it.

Captain Russell Martin has been quick to get his apologies in, saying: "I feel angry, dejected and disappointed for the club, the fans and in ourselves to be honest as players."

In an interview with the pink'un,, external Scotland international Martin hinted at a summer of change at Carrow Road.

"The fact is people might lose their jobs in other roles at the club and I feel annoyed about that," he said.

"That is the bottom line. It doesn't just affect us. People might say we don't care because we still get paid the same whatever happens. No, that is wrong. We get hit massively as well.

"You can't go down and pay players the same wages. That was probably one of the problems the last time the club went down. This time it will be different. You can either wallow in self-pity or you say this has happened, you learn and grow from it and you come back stronger next season."

BBC Sport's Chris Osborne at Carrow Road: "Blustery, dreary, dark and overcast. The weather's not great here either.

"Norwich fans are full of anger over how this season has gone and their impending relegation, but there's confusion over where to direct it.

"Towards players whose biggest failing is simply not being good enough? Neil Adams, a much-liked man charged with saving a disastrous season in five games? Or David McNally, the chief executive who, up until now, had got every big decision right by overseeing Norwich's rise from League One to the Premier League?

"If a strong-looking Arsenal side starts to overrun the Canaries today, we could find out pretty early who will take the brunt of supporters' ire."

In many ways it's been the year of the banner.

A plane tows another one across the sky above Anfield reading: 'United 20, Gerrard 0.'

Somewhere in the north west there's a pilot of a small plane who is making a killing out of this season...

Twenty minutes to go. In a little over two hours' time we will know whether Vincent Kompany can get his hands on that trophy for the second time. A penny for the Belgian's thoughts...