Arsenal

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain starts for Arsenal after injury with Theo Walcott named on the bench.

Duncan Watmore starts up front for Sunderland.

Who needs a team talk when you can just rouse the troops in 140 characters. 

Swansea could certainly do with a goal this afternoon, Mr Gomis. The Frenchman has not found the net in his last 11 games.

The Swans could do with seeing that lion on the prowl again.

Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live at the Britannia Stadium

"I'm surprised there have been no changes from Manchester City at half-time. Perhaps it's the old: 'Go out and show me what you can do for the first 10 minutes.' 

"Fabian Delph and Jesus Navas are warming up - and I'd be very surprised if we didn't see one or both of them very soon."

Image source, AFP/GETTY

We are back under way at Stoke with Manchester City unchanged as they chase a comeback that would guarantee their place at the top of the league.

Live text commentary under way over here.

As it stands, Leicester, Manchester United and Arsenal could all be above them by 17:00 GMT today.

Image source, Getty Images

The managers involved in today's 15:00 GMT kick-offs are about to reveal their hands.

Team news on its way in the next 15 minutes or so.

Image source, Getty Images

Diego Costa was riding the pine for Chelsea last week, consigned to the bench as his side battled to a goalless draw away to Tottenham. 

The Spain striker looked distinctly peeved as he chucked a bib in the direction of manager Jose Mourinho after being sent for a fruitless touchline warm-up.

Mourinho might want to watch his back for more substantial bits of kit.

The Portuguese sounds like he was pretty happy with Eden Hazard's performance in Costa's central role at Spurs.

"His performance was good in every aspect. He got written feedback because we analysed his performance in great detail," said Mourinho

"Hopefully he can build from now."  

Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live at the Britannia Stadium

"This is an absolute joy to watch. Stoke, and the standard of football are playing... Their front four raised eyebrows but boy have they looked fantastic today. They are tearing this Manchester City defence to shreds!"

Does Manuel Pellegrini do half-time rockets?

It is time for the Chilean to pump in the kerosene and light the fuse. His side have been poor, but are still within reach.

Dedicated live text commentary is ongoing over here.

Image source, Getty Images

There are whispers that Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal is going to pull the emergency cord and deploy Marouane Fellaini in attack today.

The Red Devils have scored three goals in this last five home games.

However a win, combined with anything less for Leicester away to Swansea, would take them top if it stays like this at Stoke.

Rob Dawson, the man with the tip and wink, is the Manchester Evening News' Manchester United correspondent.

Get in touch using #bbcfootball,, external text 81111 (UK only and include your name) or go to the Match of the Day Facebook page., external

Marko Arnautovic is clean through on Joe Hart. Not a defender is the frame. One-on-one, this to seal it...off the post and away to safety for City!

High drama at the Britannia. Manchester City should be dead and buried. As it stands, they have a chance despite a rotten first-half showing...

Dedicated live text commentary is just over here.

Get in touch using #bbcfootball,, external text 81111 (UK only and include your name) or go to the Match of the Day Facebook page., external

Pat Nevin
BBC Radio 5 live at the Britannia Stadium

"When you're missing big players like Sergio Aguero or Yaya Toure, you hope for someone else to step up - and usually it's David Silva but he's not involved at all. Manchester City are being bullied in midfield.

"Player for player, Stoke are a long way ahead. But it's not just the fight and desire. It's also the skill." 

Sarcasm alert...

Image source, PA

Stoke are doing a number on Manchester City at the Britannia.

Quicker to the loose ball, more incisive in possession and more sturdy in defence.

The hosts have just come close to a third goal with Marko Arnautovic - the scorer of their first two - firing just wide of Joe Hart's goal.

Dedicated text commentary is just over here.

Image source, Getty Images

One name that has been linked to Watford is that of striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

The 31-year-old is hunting for a new club, but according to the Daily Telegraph this week the search is being complicated by the fact that he is still pocketing a cool £100,000 each week in wages from Spurs., external

With Odion Ighalo having scored eight league goals already and strike-partner Troy Deeney saying that he would tell the Togo international to, external "go somewhere else", is unsettling their first-choice pairing a risk worth taking for the Hornets?

Watford and manager Quique Flores are enjoying a blissful start to their relationship - but can it last? BBC Sport pundit Pat Nevin thinks it might.

"Quique Flores has been at eight different clubs in 12 seasons and Watford haven’t hung about with changing managers either, so it doesn’t look like a marriage made in heaven," the former Scotland international tells 5 live Sport. 

"But oddly enough when you hear him talking, it sounds like both parties seem to have settled down a little bit. That might be a good thing for Watford."

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Nine touches, two assists for Xherdan Shaqiri. He's really enjoying himself so far. 

He is also the proud owner of some of the finest nicknames in football, affectionately known at the "Powercube" at Bayern Munich, as well as attracting the monikers "the Alpine Messi" and "the magic dwarf" earlier in his career.

Lovely stuff.

Image source, .