BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Aston Villa and Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend: "Deli Alli might have to do a little bit more to get an England start but he is knocking on the door."

BBC Radio 5 Live

Tune in to BBC Radio 5 Live as Alan Green and Robbie Savage bring you live commentary from the Etihad Stadium as Man City host Tottenham.

Robbie Savage
Former Leicester midfielder on Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

"He has to play every game until end of season if they are to win the league. He is a leader, he'll organise and keep full backs tucked in because last week they were so open."

The Manchester City fans have just made it clear how important they feel Vincent Kompany is to their side. The rest of the side raise half-hearted cheers from the fans as they are read out at the Etihad. Kompany receives whoops of delight. 10 minutes until kick-off.

MOTD2 Extra

Former Newcastle manager John Carver: "The big difference for Spurs is Erik Lamela. He would not track back before but now he is doing so and has bought into what is happening at the club. 

"It does take foreign players a bit of time to get used to the Premier League. He had a big transfer fee on his head and has been given time. It is hard to get into the Tottenham side at the moment.

"What I would say is that Tottenham have that distraction of the Europa League. They have a superb opportunity (to win the league)."

Erik Lamela is on the bench for this game, though. Clearly Mauricio Pochettino feels Son Heung-min has more to offer at the Etihad.

Image source, Getty Images

So, we've already had a dramatic 2-1 win for Arsenal at the Emirates this Sunday. Now you can add an absolute home hammering for Villa at the hands of Liverpool. Remi Garde's team have lost by just the six goals to nil. 

You want to know the worst bit... Liverpool didn't even need to play that well. The remaining sides at the bottom are battling to avoid just two remaining relegation places.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Leicester captain Matt Elliott: "I don't think Manchester City have the hunger to dig in deep. It's a bit of a vacuous time for them. Pep Guardiola will change that around."

Now I like Manchester City. And I like Tottenham. But which is better? There's only way to find out... FIGHT! No wait, sorry, HEAD TO HEAD (Doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it).

• Manchester City have beaten Tottenham in each of their last five home games.
• They have scored 10 goals in their last two matches against Spurs at the Etihad Stadium, winning 6-0 and 4-1.
• Spurs' 4-1 win in the reverse fixture was only their second victory in 11 league games against City (W2, D1, L8).
• The last nine league meetings have produced 41 goals - an average of 4.5 goals per game.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Aston Villa and Chelsea midfielder Andy Townsend: "I watch Yaya Toure every week and some days I look at him and think 'the big man looks tired today’ and then bang bang. He doesn't frighten the opposition as he did three years ago but he is not a player you leave out. however, there are times I have seen City and thought ‘blimey, they are playing with 10 men'."

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Leicester captain Matt Elliott: "Tottenham's squad is deep enough. They have options all over the park. People say they haven’t been here before. So what?"

Robbie Savage
Former Leicester midfielder on Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

"It is a huge opportunity for Spurs. They will have watched Leicester come here last week and see them destroy City."

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

"It is going to be hard for City because, along with the attacking threat of Harry Kane and Dele Alli, Tottenham's success is based on a top-class goalkeeper in Hugo Lloris and a very good defence.

"But I actually see a few goals in this game, and I think the points will be shared."

Prediction: 2-2

Lawro's full predictions v Deadpool star Ed Skrein

Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in our Predictor game.

Robbie Savage
Former Leicester midfielder on Radio 5 live at the Etihad Stadium

"I think Dele Alli will have huge opportunity to run past the back four of City. 

"Spurs have got a real opportunity to blow City away. It is a massive test for City’s big players today."

Captain Vincent Kompany returns to the centre of the Manchester City defence in place of Martin Demichelis. There is also a change at left-back, where Gael Clichy replaces Aleksandr Kolarov. The only other alteration to the starting XI for the 3-1 home loss to Leicester sees Fernando replace Fabian Delph in midfield.

Man City XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy, Fernandinho, Fernando, Toure, Sterling, Silva, Aguero.

Image source, .

Dele Alli returns for Spurs, replacing Nacer Chadli in midfield. The visitors also change both full-backs with Kyle Walker and Danny Rose starting in place of Kieran Trippier and Ben Davies. Son Heung-min is in for Erik Lamela.

Tottenham XI: Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Wimmer, Rose, Dembele, Dier, Eriksen, Alli, Son, Kane.

Image source, .

Former Newcastle manager John Carver: "If Manchester City have got pretensions of winning the Premier League then they have to win this game today but they have got problems in central defence.

"I experienced (a similar situation to Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini when I was at Newcastle). All the rumours were going around that Steve McClaren was taking over in the summer and it does affect you."

David Pleat
Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"I think it is very important that Tottenham don’t get beat. If they avoid defeat then they have a real chance."

Here is the current state of the play at the top of the Premier League. If Goldmember were here now he would probably describe it as "tooooiiiiiigggghhhht", possibly like a tiger.

Image source, .

Image source, Getty

A draw at the Emirates earlier would have done Tottenham and Manchester City just fine. But you have to roll with the punches in the Premier League (just ask Leicester... although you might want to wait an hour or two).

But I suspect, if there had to be a winner, these two would have plumped for the Gunners, as it gives one of them the chance to make up some notable ground on the leaders.

We've already had one half of our top-four Sunday extravaganza. Are you ready for part two?