Great to see Big Duncan Ferguson out putting the Everton players through their warm-ups. What a great targetman he was in his day. Could still do a job in the lower leagues I reckon.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at The Etihad

Manchester City had trouble shifting their tickets for his game - but what a reward for those who have been tempted to come along by the video plea by striker Sergio Aguero.

The Etihad is awash (if that is the right word) with inflatable bananas that are being handed out to fans.

Not sure what the response from Everton's fans will be to that but they are understood to be travelling from Merseyside in vast numbers, with more than 10,000 expected to be inside the stadium.

It's probably one of the surprise stories of recent transfer windows - Chelsea and Brazil midfielder Ramires, 28, joining Chinese clubJiangsu Suning for £25m.

So how is China attracting big players such as Ramires? BBC Newsbeat found out.

"We'll have to defend really, really well," says Roberto Martinez as he faces the pre-match cameras. That has been the problem all season Roberto!

He says that he has planned for penalties too. It will go to spot-kicks if the match finishes 2-1 to Manchester City tonight...

A lot of you are questioning the decision to play Willy Caballero in goal for Manchester City tonight. Rotation, rotation, rotation...

Image source, Reuters

Conor Matchett: Always been a big fan of Leon Osman despite his age, as a #mufc, external fan I hope he proves me right tonight and helps knock City out!

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Manchester City and Everton's players are out warming up ahead of this Capital One Cup semi-final second leg. The Etihad is slowly filling up - with around 10,000 Everton fans expected to make the short journey along the M62.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

Surely when you are mid-table in the league you don't want to give up on a cup semi-final Alex?

alex ray: In a weird way I would rather we didn't win tonight. All would be forgotten and wasted talent carries on next season. #EFC 

Francis Edwards: Pellegrini's obsession with selecting Delph is a reason why he is not going to be a UCL winning manager. What does he bring? 

Alex Barton: Martinez needs to wake up. Results not fair? Who cares, we've had things go our way too. We haven't been good enough, full stop.

There's a lot of pre-match chat about the Everton back four, with John Stones presumed to be lining up at right-back tonight.

I wonder if there is a Roberto Martinez curve ball coming up and a back three? I know he fancied playing Leighton Baines in midfield before he got injured.

Liverpool's answer to Philipp Lahm?

Image source, Reuters

BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, .

Robbie Savage
Former League Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 live

"I've no idea why City have changed their keeper tonight. Both managers have made changes which are bizarre. It seems a fashionable thing to do to change keepers in cup competitions.

"I would always play my best team and play Joe Hart in goal for City. Then there's Everton playing John Stones at right back - he's not the quickest and when the fans get on his back he could have a bad game."

Image source, re

Image source, Getty Images

Last night Liverpool edged into their 12th League Cup final when they beat Stoke on penalties at Anfield,

Should they meet city rivals Everton, it would be a repeat of the 1984 final when Graeme Souness scored the winner. In a replay. At Maine Road.

Manchester City won the cup just two years ago, against Sunderland.

Remember Yaya Toure's stunner?

Image source, Getty Images

Will Leon Osman get the runaround from Fernandinho and Fabian Delph tonight?

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at The Etihad

Leon Osman has barely figured for Everton this season - although he played in the recent Premier League goalless draw here - but he gets a surprise start in this Capital One Cup semi-final second leg.

John Stones is at right back with Phil Jagielka returning to partner Ramiro Funes Mori in central defence but it is the inclusion of Osman, 35 in May and in the twilight of his career, that is causing most pre-match comment.

It is a brave selection by Martinez on a big night for Everton and their manager.

And one move which has gone through in the last hour, to bring you bang up to date. Andros Townsend has joined Newcastle for about £12m.

Less than a week to go until the deadline now, here's a few moves over the last few days that you may have missed...

Diego Fabbrini [Watford - Birmingham] £1.5m

Ramires [Chelsea - Jiangsu Suning] £25m

Lee Tomlin [Bournemouth - Bristol City] Loan

Emmanuel Adebayor [unattached - Crystal Palace]

Victor Valdes [Manchester United - Standard Liege] Loan