Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 live

"Manchester City are an ageing team and haven't really addressed that. I think they have so much work to do in terms of players in and players out. 

"He [Manuel Pellegrini] will be thinking about his next job. It is a really strange situation."

On whether they could miss out on a Champions League place: "There's a very big chance."

BBC Sport's Mark Mitchener at Vitality Stadium: "Eddie Howe will be hoping for no injuries in the warm-up - such as the one which cost him the services of keeper Artur Boruc when the sides met at Etihad Stadium in October and Boruc's deputy Adam Federici had an afternoon to forget in a 5-1 defeat. It's City's turn to be without their number one, with England's Joe Hart sidelined and Willy Caballero between the sticks."

Bournemouth make two changes from the team that lost to Tottenham before the international break. 

Benik Afobe has a hamstring injury so Lewis Grabban comes in up front for his first start since rejoining the club in January.

Grabban partners Joshua King, who has shaken off a calf problem. In midfield, Eunan O'Kane comes in for Harry Arter.

Kevin de Bruyne returns to the Manchester City team for the first time since 27 January after recovering from his knee injury. 

Another long-term injury absentee, Samir Nasri, is on the bench, and could feature for the first time since October.

With Joe Hart, Yaya Toure and Raheem Sterling all injured, City make five changes in all from the side that lost the Manchester derby last time out, with Willy Caballero, Pablo Zabaleta, Nicolas Otamendi and Fernando also coming in.

... which sets us up nicely for today's game at Vitality Stadium. City need a win to rescue their season, Bournemouth need a win to pass the magic 40-point mark that would surely ensure they are staying up.

In truth, the Cherries already look safe on 38 points, 12 more than third-bottom Sunderland, but with the Canaries playing Newcastle today, then Crystal Palace and the Black Cats in quick succession, Eddie Howe's men have a chance to end any lingering doubts.

*Bournemouth are ninth in the form table, with three wins in their last six games.

Image source, BBC Sport

There are many possible reasons why Manchester City's form has dropped off the proverbial cliff - injuries, the Pep Guardiola announcement or even, according to their winger Jesus Navas, just plain old bad luck., external

Whatever the cause, a run of just one win and four defeats in their last six league games has seen City's title challenge collapse. Lose again today, and their top four hopes will be heading the same way...

Image source, BBC Sport