Simon Brotherton
Match of the Day commentator

"It hasn't been the best of weeks for Ronald Koeman and there's a chance it might get a little bit worse before it starts to get better.

"Unhappy at perceived disrespect on the Bramall Lane touchline and knocked out of the Capital One Cup by League One side Sheffield United, Koeman has now seen his team lose five matches in a row after their brilliant start to the season.

"Everton counterpart Roberto Martinez has his eyes on a top-four finish this season and believes it won't take as many points as usual to achieve it.

"His team are seven points behind fourth-placed West Ham at the moment but will hope to start narrowing the gap with a win."

Jonathan Pearce
BBC Match of the Day commentator

"If this game is important, then the return match at The Hawthorns in April will be absolutely vital. The losers that day could well go down. Both sides are already deep in trouble.

"Naive defending and bad mistakes have cost QPR dearly. Striker Charlie Austin needs support. They badly need to get another striker in and clear the deadwood out of the squad.

"Both sides are at a crossroads but Austin's purple patch may edge this one."

Alistair Mann
BBC Match of the Day commentator

"Back in April, all was well, the Tigers roar was loud,

"The Swans they left defeated, the home fans mood was proud.

"Consolidation nearly complete, their status almost secure,

"A first cup final looming large, who could ask for more?"

For more of Alistair's epic and poetic match preview, come this way. Fifteen (just about) rhyming couplets of insight and entertainment.

Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator

"It might be the most wonderful time of the year, but it's probably not the best time for Aston Villa to be facing Manchester United.

"Not only are United the Premier League's form team - at least in terms of results - with six straight wins behind them, but it's also more or less a case of 'Hobson's choice' for the team Paul Lambert can pick from an injury-hit squad, saddled with several suspensions.

"But a Villa forward line with the skill, pace and power of Andreas Weimann, Gabby Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke should have brought more than the team's paltry 10 league goals so far, and this might be the day when Benteke fires his season into life."

No goals at the Etihad - but plenty more football still to come. Here's what our MOTD commentators have got lined up for us:

Former England captain Jimmy Armfield
BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

"The best chance of the game so far was Pablo Zabaleta's just before the break (see 43 mins). He got the ball over the top of Julian Speroni, but then agonised as it went just a fraction wide of the post. Crystal Palace are not making it easy for Manchester City. They have defended well and could have got a goal through Fraizer Campbell (see 19 mins).

"Manuel Pellegrini will be looking at his team and hoping one of the spark players, one of David Silva, Yaya Toure or Samir Nasri, can just prise another opening, from somewhere, that somebody can take advantage of."

Frustration on the faces of the Manchester City dugout as the half comes to a close. Lots of very nice play, but no breakthrough. City look short of a presence up front.

Image source, Reuters

That was almost lovely from Pablo Zabaleta. He scored a cracking chip at Sunderland recently and almost repeated the trick - but his effort was a yard wide this time. Maybe he is the answer up front - City will struggle to change their options in the second half.

Image source, PA

Pablo Zabaleta almost picks Palace's pockets - getting in behind the Eagles defence via Yaya Toure's pass and clipping a shot which loops over the keeper but, crucially, just wide of the far post.

Simon, York: Crystal Palace ought to change their name to Crystal Fortress imo. They're defending heroically and if they can nick a goal on the break we could be looking at a classic premier league upset here.

Andy in Armagh: Crystal Palace have had the three best chances of the game so far, but have failed to take any of them. But when you're playing away to a team of Man City's quality you must take those chances when they come.

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Chris Martin picks himself up to slam home his 15th goal of the season.

Instant response for the Rams, as Carlos Cuellar takes out Chris Martin.

Image source, PA

Norwich are back level as Johnny Howson squares across a congested box for Cameron Jerome to slam into the roof of the net.

Follow live updates of Derby County v Norwich City

Image source, Reuters

City with 70% of the ball so far but it's the visitors who arguably look the most dangerous. There are already a few frustrated groans coming from the stands...

Cynical stuff from Aleksandar Kolarov as he steps into Jason Puncheon on the halfway line and he is swiftly booked. Puncheon and Yannick Bolasie have started well - and that is another chance for Palace! Pablo Zabaleta makes a mess of clearing at the far post and Bolasie lashes a shot into the side-netting. City not looking decisive at either end of the field so far.

Image source, Getty Images

Lancashire Telegraph journalist Tyrone Marshall:, external Arrived at White Hart Lane. Christmas dinner for the pre-match meal, but pigs in blankets have been crucially overlooked.

Adrian Watters: If Palace had a top striker (give Gayle a chance) they'd be a good team with puncheon, Zaha & especially Bolasie creating chances

AH Damani: Credit to Man City on their style of play. Patient passing game! Other teams would have gone route one with a defender up top!

Michal Koziol: Now you can see the real difference between City and United. If Utd had all strikers injured, they'd give a chance to youth.

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Former England captain Jimmy Armfield
BBC Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

"When Manchester City create openings the first ball in has to be delivered quickly. So far Crystal Palace have been able to get themselves organised. One extra touch is enough for a defender to get set, and that is what's accounting for the home side so far."

Image source, AP

David Silva is making his 200th appearance for Manchester City this afternoon, but the little Spaniard has some work to do before he can overhaul Manchester City's appearance record-holder Alan Oakes who played 680 times for the club between 1959 and 1976.