Afternoon all. Well, what a big Sunday of Premier League action we have ahead of us and it gets underway with Manchester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium. Let's hope that it lives up to all the excitement surrounding it.

Right, without further ado, let's start with the team news, which has just been released. There was talk that Joe Hart would be recalled to the Man City starting lineup so let's find out if he has been...

MAN CITY XI: Pantilimon; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Nastasic, Clichy; Navas, Fernandinho, Toure, Nasri; Negredo, Aguero

We are still awaiting confirmation of the Man City substitutes, but Hart has not been reinstated, with Manuel Pellegrini keeping faith in Costel Pantilimon. Pablo Zabaleta, Matija Nastasic and Gael Clichy have all been recalled to the starting lineup, as has winger Jesus Navas. Elsewhere, Alvaro Negredo and Sergio Aguero will continue their partnership up front.

Still no news on the City substitutes, so let's now take a look at the Spurs starting lineup...

SPURS XI: Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Kaboul, Vertonghen; Paulinho, Sandro; Lennon, Holtby, Lamela; Soldado

So, there is no Andros Townsend for the visitors, with summer signing Erik Lamela given the chance to prove his worth in an attacking midfield role. Lewis Holtby will also play in the midfield, which includes Aaron Lennon out wide. Meanwhile, Younes Kaboul comes in to partner Michael Dawson at the heart of the defence.

And now the news of both benches has been released. Let's start with the home team...

MAN CITY SUBS: Hart, Lescott, Richards, Guidetti, Garcia, Milner, Dzeko

Once again then Hart is named among the Man City substitutes, despite doing quite well for England against Germany on Tuesday night. Young Swedish striker John Guidetti, who is highly rated among the coaching staff at the Etihad Stadium, is also included alongside the likes of Edin Dzeko and Micah Richards.

SPURS SUBS: Friedel, Chiriches, Dembele, Townsend, Sigurdsson, Adebayor, Defoe

The big shock from Andre Villas-Boas is that he has dropped Townsend, unless the England international is carrying a knock that hasn't been made public knowledge. Emmanuel Adebayor is also back in the fold against one of his former clubs.

In total, Villas-Boas has made six changes to the team that lost last time out at home to Newcastle United. They are significant alterations for two players in particular - namely Kaboul and Lamela. Having been injured for some time, French defender Kaboul will make his first start since August 2012, while Lamela has never previously featured in a Premier League encounter from the beginning.

Another player in the Spurs lineup that is in need of a positive performance is Spaniard Roberto Soldado. He signed for big money from Valencia in the summer, but he's struggled to recreate the clinical touch that he possessed in La Liga. He has scored four Premier League goals, three of which have come from the penalty spot.

Of course, it would be harsh to blame solely Soldado for his lack of goals. At times he has cut an isolated figure as the lone striker and has often found himself marked out of a game by both centre-backs. It will be interesting to see if the likes of Lamela, Holtby and Lennon provide him with more support today. If they don't, it could be a quiet afternoon for him again.

In contrast, Soldado's fellow countryman, Negredo, has hit the ground running at Man City. The man nicknamed 'The Beast' by the Spanish media, has scored nine goals in all competitions and has already shown a very positive understanding with Aguero. They have 22 goals between them to date.

Staying with City and their manager Pellegrini, who has just been talking to Sky Sports News. He's keen for his side to bounce back from their defeat away at Sunderland last time out: "It's very important that we cannot lose points here at home. It's the only way to recover points we lost away. I hope that our squad will win. At home we are playing very, very well," said the Chilean.

Of course, Pellegrini is the man that has decided to keep Hart on the bench. Speaking to BBC Sport just now, it's a decision that former City and Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel does not necessarily agree with:

"Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is dropping Joe Hart to protect himself. In Spain, the first thing you have to do is protect yourself as a manager, and that is what he is used to. In this country, it is completely different," said the Dane.

LAST TIME: It's almost a year ago to the day since Spurs made their last trip to the Etihad Stadium. As it was, Dzeko came off the bench to score a late winner for the home side. Below, you can relive that encounter:

And here are some words from Villas-Boas, who has just spoken to Sky Sports News: "We've taken into account the fact that a lot of players have travelled with their international teams. City are very strong at home. We have to hold on to their attacking impetus, but also try to play our game. Hopefully we can bring the result home."

PREDICTION: Right, with just under 10 minutes to go until we are off and running, let's have a stab at predicting the outcome of this one. Spurs have done very little in recent weeks to suggest that they can cause City too many problems, even without the influential Vincent Kompany in defence. Whereas, Negredo and Aguero are among the most in-form strikers in Europe right now. Logic would suggest a City win and that's what we are going for - 2-0 to the home side.

OH DEAR! Comedian and City supporter Jason Manford has just been on the pitch with a microphone belting out a rendition of 'Blue Moon' to try to get the crowd going. Stick to the day job, Jason.

Thankfully, Manford has left the pitch and has been replaced by both sets of players. Not long now until we get started at the Etihad.

GAME ON! Here we go then. Visiting Spurs, attacking from right to left, get this eagerly anticipated Premier League clash off and running.

Just fourteen seconds on the clock and City lead! Spurs take the centre and the ball is worked back to Hugo Lloris - arguably the division's best goalkeeper this term. He clears the ball straight to Aguero, though, who powers a shot towards goal. The Spurs keeper parries the ball, but only as far as an alert Navas, who cleverly lifts it into the top corner of the net from a tight angle. First Boruc and now Lloris - it's not been a good weekend for Premier League keepers.

CHANCE! Massive opportunity for Spurs to draw level almost instantly and it's Lamela that wastes it. Pantilimon and Martin Demichelis fail to deal with Kyle Walker's teasing cross from the right, which drops to the Argentine. His shot is going wide, but Demichelis makes sure by clearing the danger. Lamela should have done much better with that chance.

SAVE! This is like a game of basketball at the moment as City carve out another chance. Negredo and Aguero show their understanding as the latter goes through on goal, but his dinked effort is stopped by an advancing Lloris, who partly atones for his earlier howler.

PENALTY APPEAL! Tottenham's Paulinho wants a penalty as he spins inside the area to control a long throw by Walker, only to hit the deck under a challenge form Yaya Toure. Replays show that the contact was minimal at most so referee Howard Webb was vindicated in waving play on.

PENALTY APPEAL! Now it's City that want a penalty as Samir Nasri bears down on goal, only to be upended by a retreating Sandro as he went to pull the trigger. Again the replay shows that Webb was right not to blow his whistle because it was a fantastic challenge form the Spurs midfielder.

Spurs are enjoying themselves down the right flank at the moment. Both Walker and Lennon are causing problems to Gael Clichy, who could do with some extra help from Nasri. It appears that it is Tottenham's most likely way of scoring a goal, perhaps with Soldado getting on the end of a cross.

SAVE! Another sight of goal for Spurs as they win a free kick some 25 yards from goal. Holtby rolls the ball into the path of Jan Vertonghen, who goes for pure power. His effort evades the City wall, but Pantilimon gets down quickly to hold at the second attempt.

BOOKING! Second booking of the season for Tottenham's Sandro, who pulled back Aguero as the City striker made his way down towards the left byline. He tries to defend himself, but in truth, he doesn't have a leg to stand on.

More good work from Lennon, as he shows quick feet to skip beyond both Clichy and Fernandinho. His cross is then deflected behind for a corner, which Lamela ends up firing well wide of the target. In this sort of form, Spurs need to get the ball to Lennon at every possible opportunity. He certainly has the beating of Clichy right now.

Not good news for Tottenham as Sandro is being sick on the pitch! He's just been attended to by the Spurs physio and has given the thumbs up to the bench to show that he is able to carry on, but it will be a situation that they no doubt need to monitor.

Sandro needs to be careful here. He's just brought down Toure inside the Spurs half and a foul is given. Some of the City players want him to be given a second caution, but Webb resists. He does have a word with Sandro, though. Perhaps a final warning.

Joey Barton is obviously not a big fan of Holtby. In truth, he's been very quiet so far:

Having watched Holtby many, many times, I keep wondering what does he bring to the party? — Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) November 24, 2013

Whatever is wrong with Lloris, let's hope that it isn't catching. Again it's a poor clearance, which Fernandinho heads to Nasri, who picks out Aguero. He's denied by the Spurs stopper, but the ball drops to a waiting Negredo. Kaboul does well to block on the line, but the ball cannons off an unfortunate Sandro and ends up in the back of the net. A comedy of errors and it looks a long way back for Spurs now.

BOOKING! Vertonghen has let his frustration get the better of him just now as he slides in needlessly on Zabaleta. The home faithful chant for a red card, but Webb does the sensible thing and issues a deserved yellow.

You would never guess that Spurs had one of the best defensive records in the division prior to this game. City add a third and it's far too simple. Navas has so much time on the right wing that he cannot help but pick out an unmarked Aguero, who is never ever going to miss from six yards out. Game over and what's more, this could end in a hiding for Tottenham.

BOOKING! First yellow card of the afternoon for City and it goes to Toure, who knew exactly what he was doing. Lennon was keen to send Spurs away on the counter-attack, but he was brought down by the City skipper just outside the Tottenham penalty area.

We will have two minutes of stoppage time at the end of this first half.

BOOKING! Another silly caution for Spurs. This time's it's full-back Walker as he steps in front of Nasri as the City midfielder looked to take a quick free kick. Needless.

Well, that couldn't have really gone much worse for Spurs, who trail 3-0. They've been the makers of their own downfall, which is bound to infuriate Villas-Boas even more. In the other dressing room, Pellegrini will be delighted.

So, what can Spurs do? Well, barring a miracle, the victory or even a draw is beyond them here. One would imagine that the message would be try to win the second half, or certainly not lose it at least. Places in the table at the end of a season can sometimes be decided on goal difference (as City know very well), so a thrashing would do the North Londoners no good.

Villas-Boas may also consider making changes. The likes of Holtby, Lamela and Soldado have been quiet and when they do get hold of the ball, they've been wasteful. Someone else that they may want to replace is Sandro, mainly because he is on a caution and has committed a couple of fouls since. If he was to be red carded, he would miss next week's home match against Manchester United.

As for City, Pellegrini will probably ask for more of the same. They've been by no means brilliant, but they haven't needed to be. The fact is, City have been clinical when it has mattered and have looked solid enough at the back, with Matija Nastasic in particular having a good game.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! City get the second half started and one of their old boys, Adebayor, has been thrown into the action by Villas-Boas. He's replaced Holtby, who was quiet for most of the first half. City have also made a change, with the impressive Nastasic, who must be injured, coming off and Joleon Lescott coming on.

A poor moment from Lamela, who has certainly not justified his high price tag just yet. Spurs break and have a five on five situation, but the Argentine tries to pick out Lennon on the opposite wing, only for him to severely overhit the ball out of play.

Talk about rubbing salt in the Tottenham wound. Toure, who was largely quiet during the opening 45 minutes, bursts from midfield and as Lloris advances, he shows great awareness to square the ball across for Aguero. It's a virtual open goal for the Argentine, who gratefully accepts the invitation. This could be a cricket score!

OFF THE BAR! City are inches away from a fifth goal, although they would have been fortunate had it found the net. Nasri is clearly trying to cross for Zabaleta, but he miskicks the ball. It loops up over Lloris, though, and only stays out because of the crossbar. City are smelling blood.

This is just plain humiliating for Tottenham now. Fernandinho threads a pass through for Negredo, who flicks the ball between his legs. It wrong foots Spurs skipper Michael Dawson all ends up and opens up a chance for the City striker, who emphatically thumps a shot beyond Lloris from 12 yards out. So much for Spurs winning the second half!

Here's an eye-watering stat for you: Manchester City have scored 17 goals in their last three home games. That is some going!

SUBSTITUTIONS: A double switch for Spurs as Soldado and Paulinho trudge off to be replaced by Mousa Dembele and Gylfi Sigurdsson. I'm sure it's not the scenario that they had hoped to be entering this game!

SAVE! It's been a positive impact from Dembele, who collects possession 30 yards from goal and moves forward. Having not been faced with a challenge, he drills the ball towards the target. It would have crept inside the bottom left hand corner, but Pantilimon got down in time.

SUBSTITUTION: There will be no hat-trick for Aguero today as he is withdrawn by Pellegrini, who seemingly wants to wrap his striker up in cotton wool. It's been another deadly performance from the Argentine. On comes holding midfielder Javi Garcia, which is likely to see Toure pushed on into a more advanced role.

CHANCE! Negredo really should be celebrating his second and City's sixth goal of the afternoon. It's all about Navas, who gets to the byline before standing up an inviting cross towards the back post. Negredo is up early, maybe too early because all he can do his head the ball way over the crossbar from close range. It was the sort of opportunity that he would convert nine times out of 10.

CHANCE! City are in no mood to go easy on Spurs it would seem. Again it's Navas that creates the opening, having sent the ball across Tottenham's 18-yard line. It's met by an onrushing Toure, who curls an effort onto the roof of the net.

SUBSTITUTION: City's final switch sees Nasri being replaced. He may not have scored, but the Frenchman was in good form today and received a standing ovation as he went off. The versatile James Milner has taken his place for the closing stages.

SAVE! That just about sums it all up for Spurs as Dembele dances through three challenges, before poking the ball into the path of Adebayor. He commits Pantilimon off his line, but the City keeper stays big and is able to block the shot with his leg. It's a good save, but Adebayor really should have scored. Then, up the other end, Fernandinho somehow fails to convert from six yards out!

The pace of the game has now dropped significantly, with City knocking the ball around. Meanwhile, Spurs look determined not to concede a sixth goal. As a result, we have stalemate!

There will be three minutes of stoppage time for Spurs to endure.

Awful from Vertonghen, who messes up his clearance. Navas pounces and the man that started off the scoring, finishes it with a neat finish underneath the body of Lloris.

Well, who saw that coming? Tottenham had only conceded six in the Premier League before today and here they've conceded the same amount in one game! City move up to fourth, while Spurs slump to ninth.

That's all we have time for from the Etihad Stadium. Thanks for joining us this afternoon. Until next time, goodbye.