Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Norwich City and Manchester City.

Several top-flight fixtures have been cancelled this weekend due to the sixth round of the FA Cup, but that could prove beneficial to the likes of Norwich City and Manchester City, who can increase the pressure on the sides around them at the opposite ends of the table. City can move ahead of third-place Arsenal with victory at Carrow Road, while Norwich will move two points above the drop zone if they can surprise Manuel Pellegrini's men this afternoon.

The team news is out. Let's take a look at what Pellegrini and Alex Neil have come up with...

NORWICH CITY XI: Ruddy; Martin, Bennett, Klose, Olsson; Howson, O'Neil; Redmond, Hoolahan, Jarvis; Bamford

NORWICH CITY SUBSTITUTES: Rudd, Bassong, Mbokani, Jerome, Dorrans, Mulumbu, Pinto

MANCHESTER CITY XI: Hart, Sagna, Kompany, Otamendi, Clichy, Fernando, Fernandinho, Navas, Silva, Aguero, Bony

MANCHESTER CITY SUBSTITUTES: Caballero, Demichelis, Kolarov, Zabaleta, M.Garcia, Sterling, Iheanacho

The big news coming out of the Norwich dressing room is the inclusion of Patrick Bamford, who makes his first start for the Canaries since signing on loan from Chelsea in January. Ryan Bennett, Martin Olsson and Matt Jarvis have also been drafted into the team.

As for Manchester City, Pellegrini has made just the one change, with Fernando replacing the injured Yaya Toure. It means that Wilfried Bony has again been preferred to Raheem Sterling, who remains on the bench.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's game represents the 68th meeting between the two teams, and I advise Norwich fans to look away now. They have won just nine of those matches, with City winning 36 times. As far as recent games go, the Canaries have emerged victorious just once in a dozen games.

REVERSE FIXTURE! Norwich's recent record against City is abysmal, but they could count themselves unlucky not to gain a result at the Etihad Stadium in October. With two minutes remaining, they were level at 1-1, but Russell Martin's dismissal and Yaya Toure's penalty meant that the Canaries succumbed to a 2-1 defeat.

In January, the two teams also faced each other in the third round of the FA Cup, and it's fair to say that there was no luck involved on that occasion. City cantered to a comfortable 3-0 victory at Carrow Road thanks to goals from Sergio Aguero, Kelechi Iheanacho and Kevin de Bruyne. The starting lineups from that afternoon are very different, but it will concern Norwich fans ahead of this contest.

Ever wondered how the City players try to get motivated before a match? Well wonder no more...

Checking out the kits (and tunes) in the #mcfc dressing room earlier... #ncfcvcity https://t.co/cblFqugYHs — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) March 12, 2016

If we take a look at the form table for the last six games, it doesn't make for particularly pleasant viewing for either team. Norwich have been in freefall of late so it's no surprise that they are bottom of the pile, but City are only placed in 14th position. There only win in four outings has come against Aston Villa, and that was a struggle for 45 minutes.

With 20 minutes to go until kickoff, let's take a look at the curious case of Patrick Bamford. The Chelsea forward began the campaign as a wanted man and he was expected to feature regularly in the Premier League this season, but it has been a frustrating eight months for the Englishman. He made just six appearances off the bench for Palace in the league, and until today, he hasn't started a game for Norwich. After 17 Championship goals for Middlesbrough last year, he can argue that he deserves more of a chance, but the pressure will be on this afternoon as he tests himself against Vincent Kompany and Nicolas Otamendi.

Raheem Sterling has started to endure a frustrating time at City too. He has started 32 times in all competitions this season, so he isn't in a position to over-react, but the last three games haven't gone his way. He was withdrawn at half time against former club Liverpool, benched for the clash with Aston Villa and he is again among the substitutes this afternoon. He will be aware that he has to take his chance later in the game - which he should get - ahead of City's Champions League game with Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday.

A quick word on Sergio Aguero as well. Earlier in the week, he revealed when he would leave Manchester City, but at the same time, he also stressed that he was committed to the club and would shun interest from elsewhere. It was bitter-sweet news for the supporters, but it should be considered a boost that the Argentine wants to stay at the club until 2019.

PREDICTION! We think that their demolition of Aston Villa last weekend would have got City in the mood for this match. Norwich have been relatively tight at the back in their last four outings, but that could change this afternoon. Man City to win 3-0.

The two team are ready to head out onto the pitch. There are smiles and pleasantries being exchanged in the City team. There are looks of determination in the Norwich lineup.

Norwich get us underway at Carrow Road.

Quiet start from both sides. A couple of long balls have gone in the direction of Bamford, but I don't think that is going to work against the likes of Kompany and Otamendi.

Either Norwich look off the pace or City are well up for this. They are first to every ball at the moment, and Silva's sharpness wins City a free kick from 45 yards out. Kompany managed to beat Ruddy to the ball but Norwich survive.

We are only six minutes in and it already seems only a matter of time before City take the lead. Norwich are just inviting pressure by sitting deep in their own final third and they are lucky to survive when Aguero was found at the back post, with a defender getting in a last-ditch tackle.

Better from Norwich, who win a corner through Martin getting into an advanced position. However, the set piece does not beat the first defender before Olsson decides it would be a good idea to try a volley from about 40 yards. Guess where it ended up?

BOOKING! Ryan Bennett deservedly goes into the book for a cynical challenge on Silva. It could be a long afternoon for the defender with Aguero and Silva looking lively.

SHOT! O'Neil tries to challenge Fernandinho for a high ball but he only proceeds to concede a foul around 30 yards from goal. It's a silly challenge! Aguero takes it but Ruddy manages to tip the free kick over the crossbar.

Norwich have all 11 men camped in their own half. It's a dangerous tactic. Silva is having all the time in the world on the ball and Aguero is looking to slip in behind the defence at every given opportunity. The Argentine can't find the target, however, with a low drive from 20 yards.

The groans have started to come from the Norwich fans. They, like us, cannot see how their team are going to get anything from this game playing this way. City boss possession for at least a minute, but the final ball is overhit and the Canaries escape.

A few passes and a cross from Norwich has their supporters on the edge of their seats. That says everything about this game so far! In all fairness, they have started to see much more of the ball but they aren't making much headway.

BOOKING! Where was this in the opening 25 minutes? Norwich are beginning to get men forward and a neat one-two between Martin and Redmond draws a foul out of Otamendi, who is yellow carded.

SHOT! Brilliant save from Ruddy! Norwich allow Aguero to run at them and he bides his time before drilling a shot towards the far corner. However, Ruddy is equal to it and tips the ball away. He has looked uncertain at times this afternoon but that was an excellent intervention.

An injury to Nathan Redmond has seen the action slow down a tough, but the winger looks fine to continue. Norwich will be pleased to reach this stage on level terms, but they are starting to grow in confidence.

If you are wondering why we haven't mentioned Bony, it is because he has barely had a kick. Pellegrini may look to bring Sterling on in the second half.

You would have thought that Norwich will settle for going in level at the break, but they are pushing forward in their droves. They cannot get a shot away but it has lifted the fans, who must have feared the worst at the start of this game. They are still to force a save out of Joe Hart, however.

SHOT! SO UNLUCKY! The ball drops invitingly to Bamford on the edge of the area and he lets fly with an absolute howitzer of a half-volley that hits the top of the crossbar. What an effort.

City get back into the ascendancy but they are lacking the quickness that they showed in the early stages. Norwich look comfortable now and you could argue that the break is coming at the right time for City, not the home side.

SUBSTITUTION! That is that for Redmond. He is down again and he is being replaced by Graham Dorrans.

There will be two minutes of added-on time.

Matt Jarvis goes agonisingly close to a goal in the last few seconds of the first half, but after his deflected effort goes inches wide, the referee blows up for half time. It's been intriguing rather than entertaining, but Norwich are full value for making the break on level terms.

We are almost ready for the players to return for the second half. It will be interesting to see whether Sterling remains on the bench and if so, for how long. City are missing that spark on both flanks.

Pellegrini has stuck with the same team...for now. City get us back underway.

Like in the first half, Man City are fast out of the traps and Norwich are having to tread carefully at the back. A corner finds Otamendi but the Argentine's header is always clearing the crossbar.

BOOKING! Well that's an easy decision for the referee to make. Aguero bursts down the right flank until he is pulled down by Gary O'Neil, who could not keep up with the striker.

There's a lot more space opening up in the middle of the park now but neither side can execute a final ball that is going to result in a chance being created. Bony still looks terribly off the pace in attack for City.

SUBSTITUTION! The inevitable change is finally made, with Sterling replacing Bony. That ought to mix things up a touch.

The substitution has forced Norwich to retreat again and it is only invitingly pressure. Sterling wins a free kick on the byline and it gives Silva the chance to deliver the ball into the box. Norwich defend it well, however, getting it clear at third opportunity.

Now then - was that in the box? It's tight but Klose's foul on Aguero looks just outside the area. Big chance for City here though. Silva is lurking over the ball...

The Spaniard takes it but it is straight into the wall. Norwich had their smallest man on the end of the wall. Looked like a chance for the right foot of Aguero.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Double change for the home side - that's Neil's allocation up for the afternoon. Mbokani and Jerome have replaced Hoolahan and Bamford.

We are still to see any clear-cut chances in this half. It's been very disappointing, especially from City. They are probing away but Ruddy has had nothing to do. A draw isn't enough for them this afternoon.

SHOT! Silva tries a speculative effort from 20 yards, but it goes about 10 yards wide. I assume he was hoping to get some curl on the ball, but instead, it went straight and looked a shocking effort.

The Norwich fans fancy this now. Time is ticking away and City are creating nothing in the final third. Alex Neil would snap your hand off if you had offered him a point before this game.

City force a couple of corner kicks on the right-hand side, and it's a chance to get the likes of Kompany and Otamendi into a forward position. Neither man can be found, however, and Norwich get the ball clear.

SUBSTITUTION! Iheanacho is thrown on by Pellegrini in place of Navas. Can the youngster provide the inspiration that City desperately need?

While City are not finding the openings in the final third, Norwich are panicking when they get their foot on the ball and sending hopeful long balls towards Mbokani. They need to keep their composure or else City will control the final minutes of this fixture.

CHANCE! What an opportunity! Mbokani closes down a clearance and he is able to power into the penalty area. He tees up Dorrans on the edge of the area, but the Scot never looked confident and despite coming under no pressure, he slices the ball wide of Hart's post.

SHOT! I've lost count of the times that Aguero has been invited to run at the Norwich defence, but he still can't find the breakthrough. On this occasion, his effort went high into the stands, much to the delight of the home supporters.

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

City win a late corner. Can they snatch a win they barely deserve?

Not on this occasion. Dorrans clears. Just over a minute to go!

The full-time whistle goes at Carrow Road and Norwich have held on for a deserved point against Manchester City. It's not enough to take them out of the relegation zone but it's definitely a point gained and not two points lost. City will feel differently, and they remain in fourth position behind Arsenal.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this game, but please stick around for the fixtures that are taking place this afternoon. Goodbye for now.