French Ligue 1

BBC Sport's Jonathan Jurejko: "While the Premier League and La Liga title races go down to the wire, the French equivalent appears to more clear-cut. Long-time leaders Paris St-Germain have been threatening to clinch their second successive Ligue 1 crown for a number of weeks, but only tonight do the big-spending club look almost certain to mathematically secure the trophy.

"Laurent Blanc's team are eight points clear of nearest rivals Monaco with three matches remaining, meaning the Parisians cannot be caught if they beat Rennes at a sold-out Parc des Princes. However, they will not even have to do that if Monaco, managed by ex-Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri, fail to take all three points against Guingamp. Currently that game is goalless."

Spanish La Liga

Third-placed Real Madrid know that anything but a win tonight will leave them with a steep climb to the La Liga summit. And they must cope without Wales winger Gareth Bale, who suffered a knock in Sunday's dramatic 2-2 draw against Valencia.

Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who equalised with a sensational back-heeled volley in injury-time, will start despite not taking a full part in training on Tuesday.

"Ronaldo is fine, although he is a little tired," said Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Spanish La Liga

Gareth Bale:, external Good luck to the boys @realmadrid tonight. Gutted I can't be involved, but will be watching on from home.

Spanish La Liga

BBC Sport's Jonathan Jurejko: "'It's been the most thrilling title race in years,' they cry. No, not the Premier League - I'm talking about Spain's La Liga. Three sides - Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona - are vying to be crowned 'campeones' as leaders Atletico attempt to break the 10-year grip on the trophy by their illustrious rivals.

"And that one of this trio will be celebrating on 18 May is about all we can say for certain. Tonight, Real Madrid make the short trip north to Real Valladolid - their game in hand - knowing victory will move them within two points of Atletico ahead of the penultimate weekend of the Spanish season."

Just to remind you of tonight's breaking news, which is that Louis van Gaal has told the BBC's Dan Roan that he would like the Manchester United job. "For every coach who takes the job it's a fantastic challenge. I hope that I shall be the one but you'll have to wait and see," the Netherlands coach said. "I would love the job but you have to wait and see."

He might not have watched it, but Manuel Pellegrini is holding up the 'Shock at Selhurst' (I'm sure some of you can think of something better than that to describe it) as a warning to his own players heading into their final two games of the season.

"It's a good lesson for everyone," he said. "No-one knows what will happen in football - that's why it's the most popular sport. It depends on a lot of things, not just what you can do.

"Liverpool were winning 3-0 but the score changed. It's not just a lesson for this moment - football is always the same."

Image source, Getty Images

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Demichelis, Kolarov, Javi Garcia, Toure, Milner, Silva, Nasri, Dzeko. Subs: Richards, Lescott, Negredo, Clichy, Fernandinho, Pantilimon, Jovetic.

Aston Villa: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Clark, El Ahmadi, Westwood, Delph, Weimann, Bowery, Bertrand. Subs: Bacuna, Steer, Sylla, Tonev, Holt, Robinson, Grealish.

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)

Let's be honest, it would take a brave man to bet against Manchester City winning the Premier League title now, following Liverpool's spectacular collapse against Crystal Palace on Monday night when they let slip a three-goal lead in the final 11 minutes of the match.

For sheer drama, it was perhaps the game of the season so far. City players Samir Nasri, Aleksandar Kolarov and Edin Dzeko all watched it because they tweeted about it, but what about Manuel Pellegrini?

"I didn't watch it," said the City manager. "Why? Because I was watching Aston Villa - we have to play against them. I was working. I knew the result once the game was finished. Other people told me at the end."

Game of the season in terms of sheer drama it may have been, but it sure wasn't going to stop Manuel from working out the strengths and weaknesses of Ciaran Clark.

BBC Sport's David Ornstein at Etihad Stadium

City manager Manuel Pellegrini uses his programme notes to demand "focus and complete concentration" from his players. "Nothing is guaranteed in football and Liverpool and Chelsea know they have a chance of finishing the season at the top of the table," he adds, before warning of the danger posed by a Villa side who have "no pressure" after avoiding relegation and recalling how Paul Lambert's men recovered from 2-1 down to beat City at Villa Park earlier this season.

The Chilean finishes with another plea to the fans: "Tonight, more than any other time this season, we need our supporters to make an atmosphere that our players will thrive in. The effect our fans can have on this game must not be underestimated and for the next two games, the contribution from our supporters will play a huge part."

Image source, PA

Opta Joe:, external 10 - Only Chelsea (16) have won more points against the PL top four this season than Aston Villa (10). Specialists.

Sunderland: Mannone, Vergini, O'Shea, Brown, Alonso, Cattermole, Johnson, Larsson, Colback, Borini, Wickham. Subs: Bardsley, Altidore, Ba, Giaccherini, Bridcutt, Scocco, Ustari.

West Brom: Foster, Reid, Lugano, McAuley, Brunt, Anichebe, Yacob, Morrison, Dorrans, Sessegnon, Berahino. Subs: Olsson, Sinclair, Myhill, Vydra, Mulumbu, Dawson, O'Neil.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)

Jack Parkes:, external Can't help feeling most football pundits/writers are rooting against Man City, desperate for one last twist. City 4-1 tonight.

Tommy Smith:, external Why don't Sunderland and West Brom just agree to play around the centre circle for 90 minutes tonight?

Wallace Poulter:, external We are City, which means anything OTHER than a Villa win will be a surprise. #typicalcity

What has been your save of the season?

Vote for your Match of the Day save of the season, external at bbc.co.uk/sport or tweet @BBCMOTD, external with the hashtag:

#save1 - Brad Guzan, Norwich City v ASTON VILLA, Sept 21st 2013

#save2 - John Ruddy, NORWICH CITY v Cardiff City, Oct 26th 2013

#save3 - Wojciech Szczesny, Crystal Palace v ARSENAL, Oct 26th 2013

#save4 - Tim Krul, Tottenham Hotpsur v NEWCASTLE UNITED, Nov 10th 2013

#save5 - Adrian, Manchester United v WEST HAM, Dec 21st 2013

#save6 - Allan McGregor, HULL CITY v Chelsea, Jan 11th 2014

#save7 - David Marshall, CARDIFF CITY v Norwich City, Feb 1st 2014

#save8 - David Marshall, CARDIFF CITY v Aston Villa, Feb 11th 2014

#save9 - David De Gea, MANCHESTER UNITED v Liverpool, Mar 16th 2014

#save10 - Julian Speroni, CRYSTAL PALACE v Chelsea, Mar 29th 2014

#save11 - Hugo Lloris, Liverpool v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR, Mar 30th 2014

#save12 - David Stockdale, FULHAM v Norwich City, Apr 12th 2014

Full terms/conditions available at bbc.co.uk/football

Voting closes during tonight's Match of the Day on BBC One.

BBC Radio 5 live

In the next hour, BBC Radio 5 live want listeners to tell them who they support and to pick a song which sums up your season. Example: Fulham fans - is it 'Bad' by Michael Jackson? Tweet @bbc5live or text 85058.

Sunderland know they can complete their escape from relegation tonight with a win over West Bromwich Albion and, unsurprisingly, Gus Poyet names an unchanged side for the fifth game in a row. The Black Cats, unbeaten in four, will have Connor Wickham leading the line. He has five goals and an assist in his last four Premier League games.

West Brom, for whom a point would ensure safety, make four changes from the side which lost 1-0 at Arsenal. Steven Reid recovers from a groin injury to start at full-back, while Claudio Yacob, Gareth McAuley and Victor Anichebe all start at the Stadium of Light.

BBC Final Score

Tonight's action could see Manchester City close in on the Premier League title and both West Brom and Sunderland are aiming to secure their place in the top flight for next season. As well as following all the action here, you can watch Midweek Final Score from 19:00 BST on the Red Button and at the top of this page.

Mark Pougatch is joined by Robbie Savage, Mark Lawrenson and Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and they will be keeping you up to date with all the goals and incidents as they happen.

Once the action is complete you can see all the goals on Match of the Day, from 22:40 BST, where Mark Chapman will be joined by Alan Shearer and Kevin Kilbane.

MOTD's Alistair Mann at the Stadium of Light

"If they should secure their top division status against West Brom there would be a sense of kismet about it as it was a humbling defeat at the Hawthorns back in September which ended Paolo Di Canio's tempestuous managerial reign.

"The 3-0 capitulation that day left Sunderland bottom of the table and featured some unforgettable scenes as the beleaguered boss marched over to his disgruntled supporters to "discuss" their plight - he was sacked soon after.

"That victory was the Baggies' first of the campaign, that they've only won six more accurately explains why they've spent so much of the season flirting with the drop themselves."

MOTD's Steve Wilson at Etihad Stadium

"There is a history of inglorious sporting failure being snatched from the very jaws of seemingly certain victory, but for Manchester City to miss out on the title now would be to replace the unfortunate Devon Loch at the summit of that infamous list.

"You may know the story of the 1956 Grand National and the sorry tale of the Queens Mother's horse that was way ahead of the field with the finishing line in sight, only to inexplicably jump in the air and land on his stomach like a Premier League striker just inside the area.

"For almost 60 years now, "doing a Devon Loch" has been a part of sporting parlance. What are the chances of the long-departed equine looking down from his great meadow in the sky and giving a relieved whinny as the odds-on title-favourites offer up "doing a City" as a workable replacement for future generations?"

Sean:, external Prediction #mcfc scores in the first 10 min. Then go to sleep. Then Villa equalise. Then we spend the last 10 minutes on pins.

Si's Insights:, external The City team should have more than enough quality to coast home tonight, but "should" and "will" are very different words.

Jack Poskett:, external Man City have just bought their way to the top, and I like Liverpool's style and underdog status, so come on Aston Villa!

Let's have some fun early doors tonight. We want you to recall premature celebrations - either professionally or in your local Sunday league. Did your mate get a tattoo celebrating a league title which didn't materialise? Have you bought a T-shirt before a match hoping to wear it when your team won the cup - only for it to never see the light of day? Whatever your story, let us know.

Usual drill for getting in touch tonight: send a tweet (#bbcfootball),, external a text to 81111 or leave a message on either of our Facebook, external or Google+, external pages.