Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho is a fitness doubt after being substituted with a knock against Barcelona in midweek.

Kevin De Bruyne and Vincent Kompany, who were on the bench at West Brom last week, could be recalled.

Middlesbrough are bolstered by the return from injury of Cristhian Stuani and Marten de Roon.

Dani Ayala remains a doubt because of an ankle injury, while Gaston Ramirez is suspended.

Bournemouth are one of only two teams in the top half of the Premier League kicking off at 15:00 today (imagine saying that a few years ago).

The other? Manchester City, the leaders, fresh off a Champions League win at home to Barcelona (and imagine that before Sheikh Mansour decided he wanted to spend more time in the rain).

Middlesbrough are the visitors to the Etihad today. Can George Friend, Adam Clayton and Stewart Downing succeed where Lionel Messi et al failed?

David Bagshaw: Broke down on the M6 2 hours before Bradford's FA Cup QF with Reading and spent £120 on a taxi only for it to be 0-0.

Image source, PA

David Moyes might not be planning on swapping football management for checking car bonnets at Nissan's north-east factory just yet.

But if he doesn't manage to drive Sunderland to safety then this week's trip to the plant might give him another career option.

Moyes won't be directly behind the Black Cats wheel today though. He will be sat up in the stand after being given a one-match touchline ban for swearing at a fourth official.

Iain Dowie
Former Premier League manager on BBC Radio 5 live

Moyes needs to get his players to stick to a gameplan. 

I think he has had a very difficult time but needs another window. 

He is an excellent manager. He can't do what he did at Everton and not be a good manager. If you give David Moyes time he will get it right.

Jonathan Pearce
Match of the Day commentator

Guy Fawkes Night and still no win. Sunderland's bonfire of vanities will surely bring relegation. For years the club's direction has been hopelessly muddled. They should take a leaf from Bournemouth's book.

No side has ever stayed up after earning just two Premier League points by this stage.

Bournemouth's first ever top-flight home win came against Sunderland. This should be another.

Bournemouth will be without midfielder Andrew Surman because of a hamstring injury, so Dan Gosling could deputise.

Winger Junior Stanislas remains a doubt with a calf problem.

Sunderland captain John O'Shea will miss the game because of a hamstring injury so Papy Djilobodji is likely to be recalled.

Sebastian Larsson, Lee Cattermole, Jan Kirchhoff, Jason Denayer, Vito Mannone and Fabio Borini all remain sidelined by injuries.

Speaking of the long journeys being undertaken this weekend, few can be as devoid of optimism as the Sunderland fans travelling to Bournemouth.

No win all season, no team having ever survived in the Premier League with only two points in November. No hope?

And, on the same theme, do let me know any of the other arduous journeys you have taken in the name of football (or any other sport) - with extra points awarded if that journey has ended in glorious defeat.

I know one guy who came back from his travels in South America to see Liverpool in last season's Europa League final.

But it doesn't have to be a journey of great distance. Have you ever had to travel in an unusual way? Hitch-hike? Motorbike and sidecar? Pedalo?

So, tell me if you have had to get up at stupid o'clock this morning to travel to one of those, or any other game. If you're in the car, on the coach or train, send me a picture.

What time do you think you'll get back tonight? Is it all worth it? Are you expecting to be one of only a handful in the away end?

Now, my eyes have been drawn to a couple of fixtures across the various competitions this weekend.

Bournemouth v Sunderland in the Premier League and Newcastle v Cardiff in the Championship today.

Tomorrow, it's Hull v Southampton in the top flight and Taunton Town v Barrow in the FA Cup.

The link? Monstrous journeys for the away fans.

Thanks, Manders. Sterling work on the early shift.

Good afternoon to you. The fixtures gods haven't graced us with an early Premier League kick-off today, so we'll talk among ourselves, while also smattering some early Championship, FA Cup and Football Focus chat your way.

On that note, it's time to transfer you over to one of the safest pair of hands in the business, I give you Stephan Shemilt.

Football Focus

Football Focus has got under way on BBC One. Former Wales striker Dean Saunders and ex-England winger Trevor Sinclair are the guests.

There will be interviews with Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling, plus Nicole Scherzinger's predictions. Enjoy.

Image source, Reuters

I wish my boss would send me off to France for being a few pounds overweight. 

Tony Pulis has told striker Saido Berahino to pack a suitcase and head over the English Channel for a few days to get fit. It won't be a holiday...

"Saido will go and spend time with a guy I know in France on fitness work," says the West Brom manager, who says the England Under 21 international will not be picked until he gets into shape.

"Hopefully it will get him closer to playing."

Image source, EPA

Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is unavailable after breaking his hand, so Ron-Robert Zieler will deputise.

Striker Islam Slimani, who missed the midweek draw against Copenhagen with a muscle injury, is expected to return.

West Brom winger Nacer Chadli is ruled out after undergoing minor knee surgery.

James McClean is suspended after accumulating five yellow cards, but Claudio Yacob returns after a similar ban.

Leicester City will be without keeper Kasper Schmeichel after he fractured his hand in Wednesday's Champions League game at FC Copenhagen.

The 29-year-old faces a lengthy spell out but has tweeted an update on his injury...

Football Focus

Former Wales striker Dean Saunders and ex-England winger Trevor Sinclair are the guests in the Football Focus studio today.

There will be interviews with Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling, plus Nicole Scherzinger's predictions.

BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson and former Pussycat Doll now XFactor judge Nicole Scherzinger are both tipping Bournemouth, Manchester City and Chelsea for wins today with draws in the other two games.

What do you reckon? Will City continue their fine from last week's 4-0 win? Can Bournemouth bounce back from defeat at Middlesbrough? And will Chelsea earn their fifth win on the bounce?

See if you can beat Lawro and Nicole in our Premier League predictor game and have a look at all of their predictions here. 

Image source, Rex Features

Today we're asking for the strangest things you've ever seen on a football field. Get in touch at #bbcfootball or on text at 81111.

Andy Guest: Watching a Swiss league game in 2001, referee blew the whistle for a minute's silence midway through the first half. Still no idea why!

Thomas Twoshoes: When Middlesbrough played Manchester City at Maine Road wearing Manchester United shirts because they forgot to bring theirs. Late 70's I think?