Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson
Football Focus

"Manchester City would love to have Pep Guardiola at the club, with there already being the two boys from Barcelona involved in running things. I think Manuel Pellegrini will be in charge next season, but if Bayern Munich win the Champions League, there could be a chance of them getting Guardiola."

Francis Coster: I like Manuel Pellegrini, you never see him moan about a dodgy refereeing decision. If he goes the league will lose a gent.

West Brom boss Tony Pulis: "We have to get 8-9s ratings out of every player and have a bit of luck too.

"People say there was a massive difference between Manchester City and Barcelona in the Champions League. No ,there was a little difference and that was Lionel Messi.

"If City had Messi they would have gone through, without a doubt."

Image source, Getty Images

Tony Pulis was in a very jovial mood as he strolled on to the Manchester City pitch alongside Baggies coach Gerry Francis a few minutes ago.

He has every reason to be cheery, having worked his magic once again. West Brom are sitting pretty comfortably in 13th, eight points clear of danger, and might well fancy their chances of getting a result against a wounded City side.

Chris Bevan at Etihad Stadium
BBC Sport

"It's not a huge surprise that Manchester City have made seven changes from their midweek defeat by Barcelona, given this is a Saturday lunchtime kick-off following a Wednesday night game, but is there anything to read into Samir Nasri not being involved at all, given he came off after only 45 (hugely disappointing) minutes at the Nou Camp?

"The four survivors are Vincent Kompany, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and goalkeeper Joe Hart, who surely won't be kept as busy by Tony Pulis's side as he was by Lionel Messi and co in Catalonia. They have just emerged to warm up on what is a sunny spring day in Manchester."

It may be a tasty battle at the top of the Premier League, but just as exciting is the one at the top of the Championship.

Bournemouth versus Middlesbrough, third versus second in the table, has just got under way, and you can follow the action in our dedicated live coverage.

Former Manchester City defender Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live at Etihad Stadium

"Manuel Pellegrini, yes he has won the Premier League, but has he taken Manchester City to that next level? Is there a pressure for City to go out and get somebody else now?

"The club is changing. There is this new academy site - the whole facility is absolutely magnificent - and the stadium is getting bigger. Expectations have changed so much but have the fans'? Ten years ago the fans were happy to stay in the Premier League, but I don't think they have changed so much. That is why they are happy to stand by Pellegrini."

Image source, Guardian

I wonder how many of the 11 Manchester City players out on the pitch are playing for their futures at the club?

The Guardian reports, external that the club's hierarchy is planning its biggest shake-up of the squad since Sheikh Mansour became owner in 2008, and the article suggests Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri and Bacary Sagna are just three of the players who could be on their way this summer.

"What is expected is a cull so drastic that by the end of summer a new and unfamiliar City squad may require name badges to identify each other," writes Jamie Jackson.

No need to worry about a birthday cake for Yaya this year then...

The Earl of Jeffs: Two up front for Pellegrini again? It feels like a return to the 90's

Nathaniel Jansen: Advocaat should drink in his premier league debut, he hasn't got a snowballs chance in hell of keeping them up.

Chris Bevan at Etihad Stadium
BBC Sport

His team are out of the Champions League and both domestic cups, they have won only five of their 14 matches in 2015 and their title defence is hanging by a thread, but Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini is staying decidedly positive in his programme notes ahead of today's visit of West Brom.

"We have to keep trusting in what we are trying to do and believe our performances will return to our normal levels," writes the Chilean. "We must just look to trust our skills and ability and try to begin a winning run."

Jason Roberts
Former Blackburn striker on Football Focus

"There is a rebuilding job to be done at Man City. After winning the title, they missed a great opportunity. I think the players who've come in, like Mangala, haven't quite been good enough for them.

"Whether or not Manuel Pellegrini is the person to do that rebuilding remains to be seen as you've seen this season that Chelsea have moved ahead of them and other teams are coming up strong too.

"I think there will be a big turnaround in the manager and the players before next season."

We've been asking you this morning whether new manager Dick Advocaat will keep Sunderland in the Premier League.

The results are in - and 61.3% of you believe he will not keep the Black Cats in the top flight.

Thanks for voting.

Image source, Getty Images

If Manuel Pellegrini is a man under pressure he did not show it when arriving at Etihad Stadium this morning.

Stepping off the team coach to the sound of Oasis's Shakermaker as a man who sounded not unlike Young Kenny from Phoenix Nights announced their arrival, Pellegrini was all smiles as he waved to the gathered fans.

How long that smile lasts, though, is a good question. City really need to kick-start their title challenge today, but it will be far from easy against a solid West Brom side who have kept six clean sheets in nine league games under Tony Pulis.

Keeping the pressure on Chelsea is not Manchester City's only concern, with Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool all in close company below them.

City have won just three of their last 12 matches in all competitions and failure to beat the Baggies today could see them drop down the table, if their rivals pick up wins.

Sam in Swindon: Swindon away at Coventry in 2013, went 1-0 down in the 2nd minute, scored 2 in the last 4 to win 2-1.

Chris in London: First away day was Liverpool at Highbury, watched Mike Hooper get lobbed by Anders Limpar from improbable range. Mixed feelings about that one.

Sam in York: York away at Rochdale 2002. I remember the disappointment on my face when I realised we wouldn't be playing in our away kit which I had gone to the trouble of wearing that day, and my kind father pinching my £3 to pay for parking. York ran away 1-0 winners courtesy of a Lee Nogan goal. Great day.

Manchester City make four changes from the side that lost to Burnley last week, with Eliaquim Mangala, Frank Lampard, Fernando and Wilfried Bony all coming in. It is seven changes to the side that lost to Barcelona in midweek.

West Brom make three changes after beating Stoke last weekend. Boaz Myhill comes in for the injured Ben Foster, while Jonas Olsson and Chris Baird both start too.

Man City XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy, Navas, Fernando, Lampard, Silva, Bony, Aguero

West Brom XI: Myhill, Dawson, McAuley, Olsson, Lescott, Baird, Morrison, Gardner, Fletcher, Sessegnon, Berahino

Guy Mowbray
BBC Match of the Day commentator at Etihad Stadium

"If losing in Barcelona in midweek had seemed almost inevitable for Manchester City, then so does beating West Brom - or should that be "so DID beating West Brom"?

"City have won all of the last six league meetings of these clubs, and yet with the way things are right now nobody can be quite so sure anymore. Albion will undoubtedly believe that they can secure their first ever win at the Etihad against a team mentally and physically drained by events at Nou Camp.

"It's Manuel Pellegrini's 100th game as Manchester City manager, and how many more there'll be is something else that we can only speculate upon. "Nine games to save his job" is a view that was aired within moments of Wednesday's final whistle, whilst the hideous phrase "dead man walking" has also been used plentifully of late."

Wilfried Bony makes only his second Manchester City start for the visit of West Brom, partnering Sergio Aguero in attack. Midfielder Frank Lampard also starts for the hosts.

Man City XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Clichy, Navas, Fernando, Lampard, Silva, Bony, Aguero

Top work Sham.

Can Manchester City bounce back from their Champions League disappointment and close the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea, and will Manuel Pellegrini ring the changes to try to get a positive response?

It's not long until we find out, with team news dropping any minute.

Right, that is my stint done as I head to other duties. Manchester City v West Brom team news is imminent. Will Wilfried Bony get a start? Can City close the gap on leaders Chelsea?

Gary Rose will have all the answers as he guides you through the afternoon's action. Over to you...