Afternoon folks! We've got a special two-hour build-up here for the FA Cup last-16 tie between two of the favourites to win it all - Chelsea and Manchester City. Plenty to discuss before we get underway, but let me just tell you about some of our other offerings this afternoon.

If you want to follow the 3pm FA Cup kickoff between Spurs and Palace, then open this link in a new tab, while we also have Real Madrid's La Liga match against Malaga covered here.

Before we tuck into our main course at Stamford Bridge, let's just see what else happened this weekend in the FA Cup...

It all kicked off at the Emirates, where Arsenal, who have won the Cup the last two years, failed to beat Championship leaders Hull City so they will need to squeeze a replay into their tight schedule. Watford and Reading then reached the last eight with wins over Leeds and West Brom respectively, while yesterday evening Everton advanced to the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win at Bournemouth.

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So Arsenal, Hull, Watford, Reading and Everton will be in the draw for the quarter-finals, which takes place after this match at Stamford Bridge later this evening. Blackburn and West Ham have just kicked off at Ewood Park, while Spurs and Palace get underway at 3. There's one other tie and that's tomorrow night when under-fire Manchester United go to the only team from below the Championship left in the competition, Shrewsbury Town.

Right then, let's take a closer look at the two teams in action here today in West London...

This whole Premier League season has been one of the most captivating in recent memory and Chelsea have certainly played their part, but not in a good way! After cantering to the title under Jose Mourinho last season, the Blues have struggled desperately this season and even though they are yet to lose in the league since Guus Hiddink's appointment as interim manager in December, they are still down in 12th and closer to the relegation zone than the top four.

So the top four is out of the question, but Chelsea might be able to get up to the Europa League spots given that they are only eight behind Man Utd in fifth. Their only chance of getting in to next season's Champions League is to win it this year, but after going down 2-1 in Tuesday's first leg against Paris Saint-Germain, qualification for the quarter-finals seems unlikely.

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That defeat in the French capital ended the Blues' 12-game unbeaten run since Mourinho's departure, but there have been a lot of draws, especially in the league, so that's why they still haven't been able to get up into the top half. They are playing better, though, so you would expect them to end up somewhere between sixth and 10th come the end of May.

UPDATE: There's been a couple of goals at Ewood Park in today's first Cup tie between Blackburn and West Ham. Ben Marshall's clever finish put the hosts in front, but Victor Moses has just equalised for the Hammers.

Back to Chelsea and their FA Cup history. They have won the competition seven times - only Arsenal (12), Man Utd (11) and Spurs (8) have been more successful - and in recent years they have reached the fifth round in 16 of the last 18 seasons!

Since the millennium Chelsea have won the Cup five times - only Arsenal have done as well in the 21st century - and one of those successes was in 2009 when Hiddink led the Blues to the title in his previous spell in interim charge. The Blues' last success was in 2012 when they edged out Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley.

STAT: Chelsea's only defeat in their last 29 FA Cup games at Stamford Bridge came when they surrendered a 2-0 lead against League One Bradford in last season's fourth round (W24, D4, L1).

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There has been no similar drama against lower-league outfits for the Blues this term, with Chelsea seeing off Scunthorpe United 2-0 at home in the third round before putting five past MK Dons in the last stage. That means that Hiddink has won all five of his FA Cup matches while Blues boss.

Chelsea were superb in that win over MK Dons last month and the star of the show was Oscar, who scored a first-half hat-trick. Eden Hazard also ended his wait for a goal in that game. Lovely goal this from Oscar.

.@oscar8 completed his hat-trick in the fourth round of the #FACup with this stunning strike... https://t.co/nNzNLd2V8N — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 21, 2016

Enough about Chelsea, let's see where Man City are at coming into this game...

City are still in the running to do an unprecedented quadruple this year, but they have also had an odd season. They have a great chance to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time as they face Dynamo Kiev in the last 16, but it comes at a hectic part of the season. After today's game they have to fly to Ukraine and then next weekend they face Liverpool in the League Cup final. Because of the scheduling, Pellegrini has admitted that he will not play a full-strength side today.

"We always try to play with a strong team in every competition - they are all important but we must prioritise the Champions League," said Pellegrini earlier this week. "The priority is always the next game but we are going to make an exception now. It's an important week as we can win the first title and make one step further in the Champions League."

Team news will be released in just over five minutes and we're expecting to see a few youngsters in the City side, while Chelsea should go close to full-strength.

Here come the boys! 🔵⚪️🔵⚪️ #mcfc #chelseavcity pic.twitter.com/Hp7UeuaIuG — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) February 21, 2016

Pellegrini believes that this tie should have been played yesterday and you have to say he's got a fair point. Chelsea's Champions League tie was on Tuesday and they have been able to have five days since then, while for City they have three games in a week with this, the Champions League trip to Ukraine then the League Cup final. His feathers aren't often ruffled, but Pellegrini has spoken openly of his displeasure at how it has worked out.

So changes aplenty expected from City, who have lost their last two matches, both at home, against Premier League title rivals Leicester and Spurs. As for Chelsea, they are definitely without John Terry, but Hiddink has said there is no reason to make many changes.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Wow! Pellegrini really has stuck to his word. Not many recognisable names in the visitors' lineup! Full XIs on the way...

CHELSEA XI: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Baba Rahman; Fabregas, Mikel; Pedro, Willian, Hazard; Diego Costa
Subs: Begovic, Miazga, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Oscar, Traore, Remy

MAN CITY XI: Caballero; Zabaleta, Adarabioyo, Demichelis, Kolarov; M.Garcia, Fernando, A.Garcia, Celina; Iheanacho, Faupala
Subs: Hart, Clichy, Humphreys, Kompany, Fernandinho, Barker, Sterling

As he said he would before the match, Hiddink names an unchanged XI from the Champions League tie in Paris on Tuesday.

There are FIVE players making their full debuts for City today - Tosin Adarabioyo in defence, Aleix and Manu Garcia and Bersant Celina in midfield and David Faupaula in attack 😳

Chelsea were favourites because of what Pellegrini said and surely they're going to be the side progressing today? That is a hugely inexperienced XI Pellegrini has chosen and he hasn't even named star man Sergio Aguero as a substitute.

A big, big day for the youngsters! Here's a quick tour of the #mcfc changing room at Stamford Bridge. #chelseavcity pic.twitter.com/Tzxz3xzaSD

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) February 21, 2016

Anyway, it might be an exciting game if these City youngsters play with no fear, so let's not get too down in the dumps about it. Here's how City have fared in recent times in the FA Cup...

The Citizens won the trophy for the fifth time when they beat Stoke 1-0 in 2011, but they were spectacularly beaten by the same scoreline by Wigan in the final in 2013. Last year City lost in the fourth round to Championship side Middlesbrough.

UPDATE: Surely that's game over at Ewood Park as Emmanuel Emenike scores his first West Ham goal to put the Premier League side 3-1 up against Blackburn, who have also had a man sent off. It's still 0-0, by the way, in the 3pm kickoff between Palace and Spurs.

While Chelsea got pretty easy draws in the third and fourth round, City had to come past Premier League opposition, but they weren't exactly the toughest games against Norwich and Villa and they scored seven unanswered goals in those two matches. Both were away from home as well and City have now not lost an away tie in the FA Cup for six years since a 3-1 fifth-round replay defeat by Stoke after extra time.

Before kickoff, why not have a listen to the latest episode of our football podcast, The Dugout. We talked about Chelsea's defeat to PSG and looked ahead to the FA Cup fifth round.

H2H: This is the third FA Cup meeting in four seasons between these two sides and City won the previous two: knocking out holders Chelsea in an enthralling 2013 semi-final and then enjoying a convincing 2-0 home win in the fifth round two years ago.

Man City's team today: five full debuts, six teenagers and shirt numbers adding up to 447, including a 72, a 75 and a 76 #magicofthecup

— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) February 21, 2016

These two have only met once so far this season and City won convincingly 3-0 in the Premier League way back in August. The reverse league game at Stamford Bridge is not until April 16. They could still meet in the Champions League though should they both get through to the quarter-finals.

H2H STAT: Chelsea have only lost once in the last 17 matches against City at Stamford Bridge - a 4-2 league defeat in February 2010 when they had Juliano Belletti and Michael Ballack sent off.

UPDATE: It's now 4-1 West Ham at Blackburn, while Spurs are BEHIND against Palace. Would be a shock if Pochettino's side went out today given that they have been in such good form of late.

Quick reminder that we do have commentary on that match at White Hart Lane, so if you want to see if Spurs can get back into it then click here to join my colleague Dan Lewis.

PREDICTION: OK then, time for my prediction and you've got to side with Chelsea. I don't expect the Blues to run riot against an inexperienced City outfit, but they should still have too much. I'll go for a 2-0 home win.

All over at Ewood Park and West Ham have ended up winning 5-1, with Payet and Emenike scoring braces for the Hammers. Could it be their year as they wave goodbye to the Boleyn Ground? Here's our match report.

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Here come the two teams out of the tunnel, with today's referee Martin Atkinson leading them out at the Bridge. City are in their neon-green away kit today.

It's almost time! #chelseavcity #mcfc pic.twitter.com/3yHFOiISpn — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) February 21, 2016

KICKOFF! And off we go in West London. Will Chelsea's first team cruise through, or can the City youngsters pull off a shock?

SAVE! Hello! Faupala nutmegs both Chelsea centre-backs before having his drive at goal beaten out by Courtois. Good start by the visitors!

Bit of a slow start this by Chelsea and City look very confident in midfield. Aleix Garcia especially looks at home on this big stage.

Oh dear! Chelsea are already without centre-backs Terry and Zouma and now Cahill is down with an injury. If he can't carry on then January signing Matt Miazga might be coming on.

Cahill is back on and it looks like he'll be OK to continue. Down the other end Costa tumbles after a challenge from Kolarov but referee Marriner says no free kick. The Serbian did clatter into Costa, so the Spaniard can feel a bit hard done by there.

OFF THE POST! Chelsea's first shot of the match and it's almost a goal. Lovely one-two between Pedro and Fabregas, with the former then lifting the ball over Caballero but against the post. Unlucky!

Costa is already wearing a mask after breaking his nose in training and now Cahill looks like he might have done the same after a clash of heads with Faupala.

Costa wants a penalty after Adarabioyo bundled into the back of him as the two fought for the ball in the area. There wasn't much contact and Costa threw himself to the floor. Marriner not fooled.

It looks like Pellegrini has told young strike duo Faupala and Iheanacho to just go for it in attack today. Both look very bright and they have the Blues' backline a little worried. Cahill, who has had a thigh problem and bloody nose already today, is playing on.

Fabregas takes aim 20 yards out and strikes it well with his weaker left foot, but it's still pretty easy for Caballero to hold.

UPDATE: It's still 1-0 Palace at White Hart Lane, but Spurs are knocking on the door.

Dodgy keeper! Caballero decides against trying to catch Rahman's cross with it bouncing just in front of him, but he just parries it up rather than away. He has defenders around him, though, so City clear easily.

Great ball into the box by Hazard after he skipped past Zabaleta but Costa was the only man in the middle and he dashed to the near post.

Close for Chelsea as Rahman clips to the back post for Pedro, but the Spaniard was flagged offside. Very close call and hard to tell even on the replay if he was level with the last man.

City started well and were the first to threaten with that Faupala shot, but since the 10-minute mark it's been all Chelsea. Pedro hitting the post is the closest we've come to a goal.

Decent link-up play between City strikers Faupala and Iheanacho before the latter shot high and wide with a speculative effort.

Deadlock broken at Stamford Bridge and it's Costa with a simple header from a couple of yards. Fabregas lifted the ball into Hazard, who then looped a cross into the middle where Costa could not miss. Poor defending from Demichelis as he failed to track the Spaniard.

Didn't see that coming! City equalise almost straight away and it's a goal on his full debut for Faupala. Iheanacho's initial shot was saved by Courtois, but the ball ran into the six-yard box where Azpilicueta's clearance hit Faupala and ricocheted high into the net.

Pellegrini's team selection has been questioned but he seems really up for this, wildly celebrating the equaliser there.

Uh oh :( Referee Marriner went to the area where City's players were celebrating and has just picked up multiple coins from the turf that must have been thrown by the home fans. Not good to see and it comes after West Brom's Chris Brunt was hit by a coin thrown by his own fans yesterday!

SAVE! Chelsea almost retake the lead as Pedro's close-range effort is brilliantly saved by Caballero!

SHOT! Chelsea want the lead back! Pedro completely does Zabaleta with a step-over before his shot is blocked well by Adarabioyo.

Chelsea all over City as half time approaches. Willian has just had a couple of shots, with the first blocked and the second whizzing past the post. City will do well to go in level here.

Two minutes of added time and Chelsea have a corner. Can City hold out?

Marriner blows the whistle just after Chelsea won a corner and the Blues aren't happy about that! It's all square at the break. Chelsea have created plenty of chances against an inexperienced City XI, but it's as you were. Back soon for the second half. Don't go anywhere, or I'll get Azpilicueta on you!

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Right then, before the second half gets underway news from White Hart Lane, where Palace have edged out Spurs to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in over 20 years!

KICKOFF! Chelsea get us back underway at Stamford Bridge. No half-time changes from either manager.

Remember, the draw for the sixth round takes place after this match and here are the ball numbers: 1 Chelsea/Man City 2 Reading 3 Watford 4 Shrewsbury/Man Utd 5 West Ham 6 Crystal Palace 7 Arsenal/Hull City 8 Everton

Chelsea back in front and it's a fine goal from the hosts as Willian surges forward on the break before feeding Hazard. The Belgian waits briefly before returning the ball to the Brazilian and he produces a fine finish across goal right into the corner.

Chelsea well on top again like they were for much of the first half. Willian just played in Pedro, but the latter's cross-shot was well blocked by Demichelis.

Game over surely? City did well to stay in touch in the first half, but they've started the second poorly and now trail by two goals. Hazard's cross was cleared poorly by Fernando and there was Cahill to slam past Caballero, who could have done better.

CITY SUB: Pellegrini makes a change and it's another relatively unknown player in Brandon Barker who comes on for Celina.

Good response to going 3-1 behind by City and Barker has looked really bright already! He just fed Kolarov, whose firm low cross was well-cleared by Mikel. Moments earlier Faupala had a half-chance but could not bring the ball under control after Iheanacho's lay-off.

2 - Eden Hazard has assisted two goals in a single game (all comps) for Chelsea for the first time since March 2014 (vs Fulham). Strings. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 21, 2016

Demichelis clears out for a corner after Pedro got in behind the City backline and tried to cut back for a teammate following a neat through-ball by Willian.

City need a goal quickly if they are to have any chances of keeping their quadruple dream alive, but Chelsea look very comfortable at the back.

Fabregas encouraged to shoot by the home fans from 25 yards and he does so but drags it wide of the target.

BOOKING! First yellow card of the match and an easy decision for Marriner after Demichelis took out Hazard right on the edge of the box. Willian territory...

Willian lets Hazard take it and the Belgian delivers by curling it low around the wall and in at the keeper's side. Caballero moved across anticipating a shot over the wall but the ball flew past him on the other side.

CHANCE! Missed opportunity for City as Iheanacho's backheel is blocked by Cahill after a good run and cutback down the right from Zabaleta.

CHELSEA SUBS: Spanish duo Pedro and Costa off, Traore and Oscar on.

CLOSE! Oscar almost makes an immediate impact with a curling shot from 20 yards that whistled just wide. Great effort!

This moment must feel like a long time ago for City, who are well and truly out of this cup tie now

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PENALTY TO CHELSEA! Demichelis bumps into Traore.

A little stutter in the run-up from the Brazilian, but he cannot outfox Caballero, who makes a fine save after diving to his right.

Ivanovic with a great block to deny Manu Garcia's goalbound effort after a surging run and good cross by Kolarov down the left.

CITY SUB: Fernando off, 17-year-old Cameron Humphreys on.

OFF THE POST! Traore scored in the last round at MK Dons and he goes close here by stabbing against the upright from Hazard's cutback.

CHELSEA SUB: Huge round of applause for Mikel as he is replaced by Matic.

Both teams just going through the motions now as we enter the final five minutes. It will be Chelsea joining Reading, Watford, Everton, West Ham and Palace as confirmed teams in the FA Cup last eight.

SHOT! Kolarov given space outside the box and he does love to hit them so drills low, with Courtois getting down quickly to parry it away.

5-1 for the second weekend in a row for Chelsea as Traore manages to flick Oscar's cross over Caballero and in off the far post. Odd goal, but Chelsea will take it and that's Traore's third goal of the season.

Two minutes more for City to endure.

Chance for Chelsea to make it six, but Hazard plays the ball behind Oscar, who then shoots over.

Four second-half goals and a missed penalty as Chelsea crush a weakened Man City 5-1 at Stamford Bridge. It's the first time under Manuel Pellegrini's reign that City have lost three in a row, but all their focus now turns to Kiev and then the League Cup final next weekend.

That's it from me, but keep your eyes peeled on SM for reaction from this match and the quarter-final draw, which takes place shortly!