Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage as champions Manchester City host struggling Burnley in the Premier League. Both teams are fighting at opposite ends of the table, making today's match important for very different reasons. We should have team news with you in a couple of minutes.

MAN CITY: Hart; Zabaleta, Demichelis, Mangala, Kolarov; Fernandinho, Fernando; Navas, Silva, Nasri; Milner

MAN CITY SUBS: Caballero, Sagna, Boyata, Clichy, Sinclair, Lampard, Jovetic

Following his side's comfortable 3-1 win at West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day, Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini has made two changes to his starting XI for today's match. Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov are both recalled, with the duo replacing Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy. Meanwhile, there is not place in the squad for Yaya Toure. It's presumed that the Ivorian is being rested in the wake of a hectic few days of football.

BURNLEY: Heaton; Mee, Shackell, Keane, Trippier; Boyd, Jones, Marney, Arfield; Barnes, Ings

BURNLEY: Gilks, Long, Sordell, Kightly, Jutkiewicz, Wallace, Chalobah

It's simple stuff from Burnley boss Sean Dyche, who names an unchanged side for the fifth game in a row. Dyche doesn't have the biggest of squads to play around with, but he clearly has a lot of faith in the players that will start for the Clarets today.

UPDATE! Before we get on with this afternoon's match from the Etihad Stadium, today's early kickoff in the Premier League ended goalless between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at White Hart Lane. Meanwhile, leaders Chelsea's have just kicked off in their game away to high-flying Southampton.

Right, let's get down to business. Man City are going for a 10th consecutive win in all competitions today and they will keep the pressure on Chelsea if they get it. The Blues have been in imperious form in recent weeks, building momentum at a key time of the season. The Blues have been without a recognised striker for their last couple of games, but that hasn't stopped them scoring six goals against Crystal Palace and West Brom respectively. James Milner continues today as a makeshift forward.

It's a different story for Burnley, who are languishing in 19th place in the table following three defeats from their last four games. The Clarets are in desperate need of the points at the moment, but they know full well that it will be very difficult to come away from the Etihad Stadium with anything. Still, stranger things have happened in the Premier League.

Man City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "I have watched some of [Burnley's] games. They are playing well. I watched them against Tottenham. They are an offensive team who play two strikers. They have good players and if you think it will be easy there will be great problems."

It's worth pointing out that Man City will set a new club record of 10 wins in a row if they see off Burnley. The Blues won nine in a row back in 1912, but they were held to a draw in their 10th game. It would be an incredible achievement were they to pull it off considering the strength of the Premier League and the Champions League these days.

HEAD TO HEAD: It's Man City who hold the better record when it comes to past meetings between these teams, winning 39 games compared to Burnley's 27. Meanwhile, there have been a total of 23 draws.

This fixture has been a goal-laden affair in recent seasons, with six goals scored in each of the last three encounters. However, most of those games have gone the way of Man City, who have won six of the last seven. The Blues earned a resounding 6-1 triumph at Turf Moor back in 2010 after an entertaining 3-3 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

Of course, Burnley would be over the moon with a win this afternoon but the record books show that this is highly unlikely. The last time that the Clarets won away at City was all the way back in 1963 with a 5-2 triumph at Maine Road.

UPDATE! Could we be in store for another twist in the Premier League title race at St Mary's Stadium? Chelsea are currently trailing Southampton 1-0 thanks to Saido Mane's 17th-minute goal. There's around 10 minutes left to play until the half-time whistle goes in that one.

It was suggested that Vincent Kompany would be back in the Man City starting lineup this afternoon following a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. However, it seems as if the City skipper is not quite ready yet. With a big game against Chelsea coming up at the end of January you can see why Manuel Pellegrini was not keen on risking him today.

Just under 10 minutes to go until kickoff at the Etihad Stadium and the ground is filling up nicely. The conditions were pretty rough on Boxing Day, particularly for Man City's game at West Brom, but they seem a lot less treacherous today. It's cold and bright in Manchester.

UPDATE! The half-time whistle has just gone at St Mary's Stadium and Chelsea have got themselves back on level terms with a goal from Eden Hazard just before the break to make it 1-1.

Here come the teams!

KICKOFF! The players are out, the pre-match handshakes have been done, and it will be hosts Man City to kick us off. Here we go!

It's been a dominant start from Man City, who are already spending plenty of time in the Burnley half. The passing has been crisp during the opening stages, while the visitors are having to do a lot of the chasing.

CHANCE! A good opening for Man City there as a corner from the left is met by Demichelis at the back post, but his volley is blocked. Burnley are needing to keep really focused because the hosts are looking very dangerous at the moment.

What isn't helping Burnley's cause is the lack of quality when it comes to the away side's passing. They're gifting the ball back to Man City far too easily, allowing the champions to surge forward again and again. A half-chance for the hosts sees Nasri work himself some space in the box, only to have his effort snuffed out.

The game remains goalless, but Man City have started with a high tempo. They're pressing and pushing Burnley hard, keeping the visitors on their toes. Navas uses his pace to make a darting run down the left before crossing into the penalty area. The ball isn't too bad, though Keane eventually hacks it clear under pressure.

CHANCE! Another opportunity for Man City, with Navas making another run down the right before crossing for Milner. The makeshift striker gets in front of his marker at the near post, only to scoop his effort over the crossbar.

Man City have enjoyed a whopping 75% of possession so far, telling you all that you need to know about their early dominance. Meanwhile, the Burnley fans are making plenty of noise in their corner of the ground. The visitors mount a rare attack as Barnes tries to pick out Ings inside the box, but Demichelis is there to react the quickest and hoof the ball clear.

CHANCE! Close for Burnley! Trippier whips a delicious cross into the Man City box from the right, though Barnes just can quite stretch enough to steer the ball home from six yards. The Clarets are putting up a bit more of a fight now.

Sean Dyche will be pleased with what he's seeing from his players at the moment. The visitors are looking far more adventurous going forward, while Man City are looking a bit vulnerable at the back. Mangala and Demichelis are both showing a bit of indecision and nerves.

Clinical stuff from Man City as they take the lead through David Silva following a spell of Burnley pressure. Navas does well down the right yet again, running down the right before picking out his fellow Spaniard. Silva, with his back to goal, then manages to turn before firing a low effort past Heaton.

Man City have their tails up now. Nasri makes a run towards goal before pulling the triggers from 25 yards, but the midfielder's drive goes well over. That goal from Nasri was almost against the run of play, though the champions deserve to be ahead after starting the match so positively.

Burnley win themselves a corner following some indecision inside the Man City box, but Hart does well at the set piece to come off his line and claim the ball with authority.

There is a real sense of panic in the Man City defence whenever Burnley break forward. Zabaleta comes to his side's rescue when he makes a great tackle on Barnes on the edge of the box before the hosts win possession and push forward. Navas crosses for Milner, who is thwarted at the near post.

What a goal from Fernandinho to put Man City 2-0 up! The Brazilian receives the ball about 25 yards out and he smashes it into the top corner, via the crossbar. What a spectacular strike from the midfielder. That was such a precise finish. Heaton had no chance of stopping that.

It's harsh on Burnley in a way, but Man City are just so lethal in front of goal at the moment. There were worries that they would suffer without Dzeko and Aguero, but the champions have made those fears looks daft. They're continuing to push Burnley further and further back, refusing to take their foot off the gas as we head into the final 10 minutes of the half.

Credit to Milner, he's working his socks off up front. The Englishman links well with Silva before having a crack at goal, but his shot is blocked from about 10 yards out. Kolarov then fires off target.

YELLOW CARD! The first booking of the afternoon goes the way of Man City midfielder Fernando, who is cautioned for a snappy challenge on Arfield. The Brazilian doesn't look impressed with that decision.

A bit of a worry here for Man City as Zabaleta stays down following a collision with teammates Mangala. The Argentine looks a bit groggy after that.

It's all smiles from Zabaleta as he rises to his feet following some medical attention. The full back is now sporting a fetching bandage around his head. Meanwhile, there will be THREE MINUTES of added time at the end of the half.

The half-time whistle goes, bringing the curtain down on a good opening 45 minutes of football for Man City. They took the lead through David Silva on 22 minutes before Fernandinho doubled their advantage with a spectacular strike 10 minutes later. Burnley have battled well, but they've been second best in every department.

Manuel Pellegrini will be happy with the intensity that his players have shown so far. The champions have rarely taken their foot off the gas, keeping Burnley pegged back deep in their own half. Sean Dyche is likely to be telling his side that they need to stifle Man City's creative players if they want to keep the score down in the second half.

UPDATE! It's good news for Man City as Chelsea have drawn 1-1 away to Southampton. The champions will now move to within just a point of the leaders if they are able to close out his match.

It looks highly unlikely that Man City won't see this game out during the second half. While Burnley have given a good account of themselves, it will be incredibly difficult to get themselves back into this match. That said, an early goal for the Clarets after the break would probably get the nerves jangling among the City fans.

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! The teams are out for the second half and it will be Burnley to kick us off. No changes from either manager at the break.

Burnley have their early goal at the start of the second half as Ings's shot creeps under Hart! The Clarets striker worked himself some space in the box before seeing his low drive squirm past the goalkeeper. However, should it have stood? Boyd looked to be in an offside position and was certainly interfering with play by being in front of Hart.

The mood inside the Etihad Stadium has changed dramatically since that goal. The Man City fans know that their team are in a game now, following what was a fairly routine first half. Meanwhile, Burnley are looking rejuvenated and much more of a threat.

The hosts are trying to take a little bit of the sting out of the game right now as Burnley chase around hurriedly for possession. It's a reasonable tactic from City, who need to get a grip on this match.

CHANCE! What an opportunity for Burnley as Ings receives the ball in bags of space on the edge of the box. However, the striker fails to control it and Man City just about manager to clear. You would have expected Ings to have done better there. He's usually so clinical in those kind of positions.

SAVE! That's a great stop from Heaton to deny Nasri. The Frenchman gives the Burnley the goalkeeper the eyes from about 20 yards before trying to slide the ball into the bottom corner. He almost sees his shot sneak in, only for Heaton to stretch out and palm it away.

Man City appear a bit more spritely following that Nasri chance. The Blues have been disappointing since the restart, but they're beginning to pass the ball about with a bit more composure in the Burnley half. They will be desperate to get a third goal and relieve all of this tension and pressure.

CHANCE! Wonderful play from Burnley's forwards there as Barnes holds the ball up for Ings, who shoots inches wide with a rasping drive from 25 yards. That would have been an incredible goal had it beaten Hart.

MAN CITY SUB: The hosts make their first change of the afternoon as Stevan Jovetic replaces Milner.

Burnley are doing most of the pressing right now, while Man City are needing to stay focused in defence. A cross from the right is flicked on by Boyd, but the Scot's effort goes over the crossbar. It wouldn't have counted anyway because the offside flag is up.

A little over 20 minutes remaining at the Etihad Stadium and Burnley are showing great spirit in their search for an equaliser. The visitors are doing a good job of keeping an eye on City's creative talents, while the likes of Mangala and Demichelis at the back are being put under a healthy amount of pressure. It's going to be a thrilling finale to this game if the score stays the same. Remember, the home side will move to within one point of leaders Chelsea if they win here.

YELLOW CARD! Another booking now as Burnley full-back Mee clatters into Navas, who made a bit of a meal of that.

Man City go on the offensive through Nasri, who has been a bit subdued today. He gets the ball onto his right foot about 25 yards from goal, but his shot is deflected wide. The resulting corner then comes to nothing for the champions.

MAN CITY SUB: Frank Lampard replaces Nasri for the home side. It's a landmark appearance for Lampard, who is on to play his 600th league game.

Burnley will probably be happy with how this game is panning out. There's still just one goal in it as we edge towards the final 10 minutes. Keep things as they are and the Clarets will go for it late on. They're giving it a real go on the pitch, keeping the ball away from Man City.

YELLOW CARD! Navas picks up a booking for Man City with a cynical trip on Mee, just as Burnley were looking to break.

YELLOW CARD! There are one or two gritty tackles being made now. This time it's Zabaleta who goes into the book for a collision with Shackell.

What a superb goal from Ashley Barnes to get Burnley level! Following that foul by Zabaleta, the resulting free kick is pumped into the Man City box. The ball eventually falls for Barnes and he smashes it into the top corner in sensational fashion. What a game!

CHANCE! Jovetic exchanges passes with Silva on the edge of the area before hitting a low strike that looks like it might creep into the bottom corner, but Heaton does well to get down low to keep the ball out of the net. It's high-octane football at the Etihad Stadium!

You'd have thought that Burnley would be content to sit back and soak up the pressure from Man City, but the visitors are pushing for a winner. It would be harsh for them to lose this game now after coming back from two goals down, though we know how much City love a late winner.

MAN CITY SUB: The home side shake things up again as Scott Sinclair enters the action in place of Fernandinho.

YELLOW CARD! Silva goes into the book for dissent after voicing his dissatisfaction at referee Kevin Friend's decision to award Burnley a free kick.

There will be FIVE MINUTES of added time...

Almost halfway through stoppage time and it's Burnley who are asking all of the questions. They're pumping that ball back into the Man City box time and again, but the home side are doing a decent job of dealing with the pressure.

What a result for Burnley! They've fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against the champions. It looked all over for them at half time, but they fought back to claim a deserved share of the spoils. Meanwhile, City have failed to capitalise on Chelsea's draw with Southampton earlier in the day. They will be livid with what's happened.

That's all from our live text coverage of today's match, but don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of the reaction from both camps right here on Sports Mole. Thanks for your company, we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye!