Almost total darkness over eastlands now as the players conclude thair warm-ups.

Manchester City have won every game they have played since 19 December. To put into context, that was the day we first heard the use of the 'Tier Four' restrictions in and around London.

Feels eons ago doesn't it?

Alex Scott
Former England and Arsenal defender on Football Focus

What we are seeing with Manchester City, when we look at the injuries they have got at the moment, is other players stepping up. It is the squad depth that has come to the fore more than ever this season.

Yes they had a slow start, but it is how you finish that matters. They have picked up momentum and are just carrying that on, full of confidence.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

He's got Tottenham to a final, they are four points off fourth and sat in eighth with a difficult game today.

Jose Mourinho will be under pressure because he puts himself under pressure.

It's interesting to see the spat with Gareth Bale. Of course Bale will be bothered. After what he has achieved in his career, he will be hurt that he is not playing. The big question is he hasn't produced the performances people were hoping and wanting him to produce.

He is still only 31 and he still should be in his prime. I don't know what his attitude is like. Mourinho will only be asked more and more about it if Tottenham don't get results.

Jermaine Jenas
Ex-Tottenham and Newcastle midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, EPA

The Gareth Bale I expected to see at Spurs has not happened. Jose Mourinho started him against West Brom, nothing, he played against Brighton, nothing. So from a manager point of view he’s with a team that are struggling anyway, he can’t afford to play with 10 players. They’re conceding left right and centre.

Mourinho’s looking at it and thinking you have to show me something. I think if Bale gave him that he’d be starting – I think he’s desperate to get a flying Bale in there and to be fair to Mourinho I’ve not seen it either so it’s not something that’s going to end well. Bale will probably just chill for the rest of the season and they’ll go their separate ways at the end of it.

It’s a big problem in the sense that Bale is probably the highest paid player at the club and he’s not playing. I don’t think it’s what Mourinho or Spurs fans expected. It’s clear as day to me there that there’s an issue between player and manager and I don’t see that situation getting sorted out either.

Image source, Getty Images

So if you've missed this week's Spurs drama we'll catch you up. Gareth Bale posted a picture on his Instagram account earlier in the week with the caption 'Good training session'. Now we know that Bale hasn't exactly been Jose Mourinho's first name on the team sheet this season - and make no mistake that Mourinho was quick to set the record straight in his press conference on Friday.

He said that there "was a contradiction between the post and the reality" - so just what is going on with Bale at Spurs?

Read the full story here.

Ah yes, Gareth Bale...

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Etihad Stadium

There is almost as much interest on the bench as there is in the starting line-ups tonight.

For different reasons, Sergio Aguero and Gareth Bale have not had the impact they would have wanted for their respective clubs this season.

In addition, the Tottenham futures of Harry Winks and Dele Alli have been hotly debated, whilst former City keeper Joe Hart has only played here once since leaving City, initially on loan, in 2016.

The odds are he will spend tonight's game amongst the replacements - but at least he gets to warm up.

İlkay Gündoğan is the highest scorer in the Premier League so far in 2021 with seven goals in eight games. The German’s previous seven goals in the competition came over a period of 62 games, dating back to 2018.

A new man!

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City & QPR defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Image source, Reuters

The structure Man City have now is very set - in the midfield there is a lot of fluidity. Ilkay Gundogan is someone who doesn't have to come back to look for the ball or constantly be thinking about how many numbers they have back. You can go forward and not have to worry about the set up back there, they have four bodies all the time who are in a position to defend.

Considering what they have in attack it makes a big difference to those guys who are the more progressive midfielders. Gundogan is being told to go forward and if you look at the goals he's scored, tap-ins in the six-yard box, you still have to have that desire to go forward and he clearly has that.

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Tottenham's defence did not have a great time of things against Everton in the FA Cup on Wednesday, and this will be another busy evening for them.

City's last defeat came against Spurs, when they were on the wrong end of a classic Jose Mourinho performance that saw his side score early then pretty much shut up shop. A lot has changed for Pep Guardiola and his players since then, though.

Yes, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min will carry a threat for Tottenham, and City have injury or illness doubts over key defensive players, but I am still expecting the leaders to take the points and continue their long winning run.

Prediction: 2-1

Lawro's full predictions v singer-songwriter Mike Rosenberg, AKA Passenger

A home win would send Manchester City seven points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand on Leicester as well.

They are clear favourites once again.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

This afternoon's clash at the Etihad Stadium will be the 24th occasion in which Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho will have met as managers.

Guardiola leads 10-7 in victories, but Mourinho has come out on top both times as Tottenham manager.

That last game in November sent Spurs top, eight points clear of Manchester City, who were 11th.

It is a measure of both sides' fortunes since then that a home win today would leave City 17 points ahead of their visitors.

Karen Carney
Former England and Chelsea winger on Final Score

Burnley started so well and at key moments they got key goals. The Premier League's lowest scorers have been comfortable.

All over and Burnley take a comfortable three points that significantly eases any slight concerns they may have had about relegation.

Patrick van Aanholt smashes well over for Crystal Palace and it looks like Burnley are going to end this with a clean sheet as well as three points.

Good news on Ben Mee as he is seen off the stretcher and walking towards the dressing room.

Jean-Philippe Mateta is just beaten to a cross at the near post as Crystal Palace win yet another corner. The delivery is cleared to Andros Townsend on the edge of the area and he finds Jairo Riedewald, but his shot is blocked.

The 90 minutes are up and there will be seven minutes of additional time.

Palace keep up the late pressure with a succession of corners but Burnley again defend well.

Crystal Palace are driving balls into the Burnley box as they try to get one back but it always going to be tough against the Clarets' disciplined defence.

Alan Hutton
Former Aston Villa defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

It's been a fantastic performance by Burnley. We just hope everything is okay with Ben Mee.