Isla: Bet a few managers would like to wheel out 'Run Fatboy Run' for those with mid-season 'fitness' issues.

Ollie Hoare: Got to be the 'If' speech from Mike Bassett England Manager

Image source, Rex Features

Martin Fisher
Match of the Day commentator

Stoke's forgotten men stepped up to the plate impressively in Sunday's welcome win at Watford.

Giannelli Imbula, Marc Muniesa and Mame Biram Diouf all did well. Their success has posed a few awkward questions for Mark Hughes.

Who will he drop to accommodate the return of Joe Allen from suspension? Can he leave Wilfried Bony on the bench? And does he play a three-man defence again?

Burnley have struggled badly on their travels. Just one point and four heavy defeats.

In their last season in the Premier League, their first away win came at Stoke but, after losing their last game on home soil to Bournemouth, I can't see the Potters slipping up this time.

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Stoke could be without captain Ryan Shawcross for a second successive game as he is doubtful with the calf injury which ruled him out last weekend.

Glenn Whelan should recover in time from a similar problem, while Joe Allen is available after a one-match ban.

Burnley keeper Tom Heaton is "touch and go" to return from the calf injury that kept him out against Manchester City.

Dean Marney is expected to recover from a back problem, but Johann Berg Gudmundsson is injured.

If you needed today to get any bigger from a football point of view then let me give you El Clasico.

Barcelona are host to Real Madrid as they try to make up a six-point deficit on their arch rivals and you'll be able to follow the match on the BBC Sport website as we'll have a live text commentary.

In the meantime, have a gander at who more than 50,000 BBC Sport users selected in a combined Barcelona and Real Madrid XI. It should come as no surprise Lionel Messi was the most selected player ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

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The Sun report that Arsenal right-back Carl Jenkinson has been left out of the Gunners squad to save him from the club's own fans...

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Mark Scott
Match of the Day commentator

It's not just the damning statistics, but also Palace continuing to make the same mistakes that has put Alan Pardew's position under severe scrutiny., external

Contrary to reports, Pardew insists he hasn't been told this is must-win for him, but another defeat laden with defensive deficiencies - especially from set-pieces - would surely leave him in serious peril.

In contrast, Claude Puel has led Southampton to the semi-finals of the EFL Cup, the brink of the Europa League knockout stage and within striking distance of the Premier League's top six.

His successful rotation points to a well-stocked squad, while Josh Sims has shown their conveyor belt of young talent continues to tick along nicely.

Given Saints' miserly defensive record, it's perhaps just as well for Pardew that it's not must-win. 

Gregg Ramirez: Motivational film had to be Any Given Sunday - Al Pacino dressing room speech "inch by inch..." 

Image source, Twitter

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace are without forward Connor Wickham, who is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage. 

Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda is out for up to six weeks following knee surgery, while midfielder Yohan Cabaye is banned after accumulating five yellow cards.

Dusan Tadic remains out for Southampton with a broken nose, while Matt Targett is sidelined by a hamstring problem.

Saints are set to recall captain Jose Fonte and top scorer Charlie Austin.

The pair were rested in Wednesday's EFL Cup win away to Arsenal.

Alan Pardew was on the wrong end of a 5-4 defeat by Swansea last week in one of the games of the season so far and, after six straight defeats, his job is on the line, according to the Daily Express.

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Football works in mysterious ways and, if things don't go Palace boss Alan Pardew's way this afternoon, he could find himself out of a job if he loses against a club he used to manage.

Pardew met club chairman Steve Parish earlier this week so did ask for assurances over his role and does he need a win today to keep his job?

"No, but I'm a realist. I understand the situation with the Premier League," said the 55-year-old.

"I have to make sure the next result is a positive one for us. I have to get results.

"I've only ever asked for assurances on one occasion, when Joe Kinnear came in (as director of football) at Newcastle. This is a high-profile job. I'm proud of the job. I understand the feelings of our fans."

Image source, Getty Images

Football Focus

Football Focus is on the road this week and comes live from Sutton FC's Ganders Green Lane home at 12:00 GMT. 

Sutton will be taking on Cheltenham in the FA Cup second round and comedian Tim Vine will deliver a team-talk to his team during the show.

Host Dan Walker will be joined by Tony Rains and Matthew Hanlan, Sutton's two goalscorers in their famous giant-killing win over Coventry in the FA Cup third round in 1989.

If that doesn't tempt you to tune in then there'll also be interviews with:

• Swansea boss Bob Bradley
• Arsenal forward Alex Oxlade Chamberlain
• Leicester City skipper Wes Morgan

BOOM

Kwasi Boafo: Most definitely Seabiscuit. Everything is achievable with persistence and drive

Tom Parkes: I dare anyone not to be motivated by Bill Pulllman's presidential speech from Independence Day.

Tanya: 300 for Man Utd

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Jose Mourinho loves a bit of siege mentality and he's at it again. The Daily Mirror leads on the Manchester United boss claiming football authorities treat him differently to other managers and he wants that to stop.

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Guy Mowbray
Match of the Day commentator

Premier League home wins are hard to come by in Manchester. City's last three at home (and United's last four) have finished level, and another draw will be a popular prediction for this one. It's certainly tough to call a favourite.

City aren't yet playing to Pep Guardiola's tune perfectly. Yes, their football is often mesmerising and looks unstoppable when it is - but there's a flaw or two displayed in almost every game.

Chelsea have been virtually flawless since switching to 3-4-3, but will Antonio Conte finally have to change something after playing six matches with the same side and system? Pep will have a plan. 

Chelsea have won seven league games on the trot and The Times says today's match at Manchester City will give an indication of the Stamford Bridge club's progress...

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Image source, Reuters

We are going to flit through this game at the moment as we will have more - much more - later on. For the time being here's some early team news for you football fantasy teamers...

Manchester City will monitor Raheem Sterling, who was forced off in the win against Burnley after suffering a knock.

Kevin de Bruyne, John Stones, David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan could earn recalls to the starting line-up.

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte may name an unchanged side for a seventh consecutive league game.

John Terry remains sidelined, while Mikel John Obi's muscular problem will be assessed.

Christian Lee: Has to be Ben Hur. If they'regoing past you chop em down, Roy Keane style.

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Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is the only English player named on the 55-man shortlist for the Fifa FIFPro team of the year.

Vardy, 29, is included after scoring 24 goals to help the Foxes win the Premier League last season.

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney is overlooked for the first time in the competition's 12-year history.

In total, 16 Premier League players are on the list, including Vardy's former Leicester team-mate N'Golo Kante, now at Chelsea, Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne, Dimitri Payet of West Ham and Arsenal's Hector Bellerin.

Barcelona have the most players represented, with 12 - two more than rivals Real Madrid.

Image source, Reuters