Good afternoon! Two sides at opposite ends of the table go head to head in the Premier League this afternoon, with league leaders Manchester City hosting 15th-placed Bournemouth. Let's start with a look at the lineups.

MAN CITY STARTING XI: Hart, Zabaleta, Otamendi, Mangala, Sagna, Fernandinho, Toure, Navas, De Bruyne, Sterling, Bony

BOURNEMOUTH STARTING XI: Boruc, Francis, Cook, Distin, Daniels, Smith, Gosling, O'Kane, Surman, Ritchie, Murray

MAN CITY SUBSTITUTES: Caballero, Demichelis, Kompany, Fernando, Nasri, Roberts, Iheanacho

BOURNEMOUTH SUBSTITUTES: Federici, Cargill, Bennett, MacDonald, Pugh, King, Kermorgant

So, Manuel Pellegrini has made four changes to his starting lineup. Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Aleksandar Kolarov all returned from international duty with injuries, while Fernando drops to the bench, making way for Wilfried Bony, Jesus Navas, Bacary Sagna and Yaya Toure, who was injured for the match against Newcastle last time out.

Meanwhile, there are just two changes to Eddie Howe's lineup, with Eunan O'Kane and Adam Smith, who both came off the bench last time out, returning to the starting lineup. Marc Pugh and Joshua Kind drop to the bench as a result.

Manchester City made an emphatic start to the season, winning their first five matches without conceding a single goal. However, losses to West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur saw them drop off the top of the table, before they returned to the summit following an emphatic 6-1 win over Newcastle just before the international break. Aguero's injury is a big blow though, as the Argentine netted five goals in the win over the Magpies. Bony, who takes his place this afternoon, hasn't found the back of the net so far this season.

Another injury absentee for City today is captain Vincent Kompany. Pellegrini wasn't happy that the defender, who has missed time recently with a calf injury, played for Belgium during the week, and with the Manchester derby taking place next weekend he isn't being risked this afternoon.

Bournemouth have won just one of their last five matches in the Premier League, sharing a 1-1 draw with fellow top flight newcomers Watford last time out. Their only away win so far came over West Ham back in August, while the rest of their away fixtures have resulted in losses. Like their hosts, Bournemouth have a string of players out injured, with Max Gradel, Tommy Elphick and Callum Wilson among those in the treatment room.

Here's a look in the stadium as kickoff approaches. The club's newly-installed pitch was given a stern test last weekend as the England rugby team played their final match at the Rugby World Cup there last Saturday. It looks like the playing surface is still nice and smooth for this match:

Beautiful day for it! ⚽️ #mcfc #cityvafcb pic.twitter.com/hwnB5Y9yxu

— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 17, 2015

When asked about this weekend's opponents at his pre-match press conference, Pellegrini said: "They are good players, they are the same players that won promotion last season. I have seen the last three games that they play and they really try to play as a team."

Meanwhile, Eddie Howe told reporters: "We will have to be at levels we haven't been at this season. If everyone is at their maximum, we are in with a chance of getting a result. We have to believe we can win, and we do. We have been in every game we have played."

This will be the first time that these two sides have faced each other since they were both in the third tier in the 1998-99 season, and the first time that they have gone head to head in the top flight. Eddie Howe played in both games in the 98-99 campaign, helping Bournemouth secure four of a possible six points.

Having helped the side secure promotion from the Championship last season, and guided them to 15th in the table following their opening eight fixtures, Eddie Howe has been rewarded with a new Bournemouth contract during the international break. Bournemouth have secured three of the six promotions in the club's history under Howe.

This isn't the only match taking place in the Premier League this afternoon, there are six matches kicking off at 3pm. We've got live coverage of all the fixtures from the top flight, which you can find links to here.

Earlier, the news broke that Howard Kendall has died at the age of 69. Although probably best known for his time with Everton, Kendall had a short spell in charge of Manchester City, and the club have lowered their flag to half-mast this afternoon:

Flag outside the Etihad Stadium at half mast today in tribute to former manager Howard Kendall. pic.twitter.com/si44yemjGV — Manchester City FC (@MCFC) October 17, 2015

Manchester City will be in action again just a few days after this match, with Sevilla travelling to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday for the Champions League. City have won once and lost once in their opening two fixtures in Europe this season.

Bournemouth have a week off after this match, but the Cherries have three difficult fixtures in the next 11 days. After this match, Bournemouth will host Tottenham next week before facing Liverpool in the League Cup.

Don't forget to take a look at our stats centre from time to time to find out who has the best attack, defence and form in the Premier League. With 19 goals and five clean sheets so far this season, City have been doing pretty well at both ends of the pitch, while Bournemouth sit mid-table in the defensive and attacking standings.

PREDICTION! The players will be making their way out of the tunnel shortly, so there's just time for a quick prediction. Even without Aguero, Man City still have a strong enough side to pose an attacking threat, and their defending has been superb for the majority of the season. It's hard to see anything other than a home win this afternoon, so I'm going for 3-0 to Man City.

The players are starting to gather in the tunnel ahead of kickoff, which should be just a few moments away now.

Don't forget to stick around after this match as we'll have managerial reaction, player ratings, post-match analysis and loads more.

KICKOFF! Bournemouth get the match underway!

TEAM NEWS UPDATE: Bournemouth had to make a last minute change to their lineup as Artur Boruc picked up a knock in the warmup, resulting in Adam Federici coming in between the posts.

Man City are on the charge early on, presumably keen to test Federici, who hasn't had too long to prepare for this match. Raheem Sterling makes a run down the left before trying to play the ball through to Wilfried Bony, but it's cleared before reaching the Ivorian striker.

Bournemouth find some space with a quick counter-attack, with Dan Gosling crossing the ball in towards Glenn Murray. He can't get his shot away, but manages to knock it down for Eunan O'Kane. O'Kane's effort is blocked, but only as far as the rapidly approaching Gosling, but a brilliant last-gasp challenge from Otamendi ensures that the Bournemouth midfielder doesn't get the ball away. It's been a lively opening few minutes from both sides.

No Aguero, no problem! Manchester City open the scoring after Zabaleta pulls the ball back to Bony on the edge of the six-yard box. The striker can't reach the ball in time, but Sterling had followed him in, and was there to rifle the ball into the bottom left corner.

Man City are charging forward again, with Kevin de Bruyne taking the ball down the left before trying to play Sterling in again, but the England international isn't ready for the ball, and can only tap it behind for a goal kick.

It's a howler from Federici as the keeper comes off his line to clear a Bakary Sagna cross. The keeper can only palm it straight into the path of Bony though, leaving the forward with a simple tap in to double the home side's lead.

Bournemouth win a free kick in a promising position, which Charlie Daniels is standing over, but his attempt to curl the ball into the box is easily dealt with by the Man City back four. Since Otamendi's challenge on Gosling in the opening couple of minutes, Bournemouth really haven't seen much of the ball.

Bournemouth are gradually starting to see more of the ball as they try to give themselves some hope in this fixture. Daniels is involved again, making a run down the left before Mangala puts the ball behind for a corner. The ball is too long for Ritchie through, allowing City to easily clear. Navas sprints down the other end as the home side try to make the most of a chance to counter, but it ends in a weak shot from Bony.

CHANCE! From nowhere, Kevin de Bruyne unleashes a thumping effort from just outside the box, looking to pick out the top left corner. Federici manages to keep it out, but can only tip it behind for a corner.

Manchester City have been caught napping! Andrew Surman gradually makes his way through the centre of the pitch before finding Eunan O'Kane, who quickly spots the run of Glenn Murray, setting the striker up for a stunning low strike into the bottom right from the edge of the box. Bournemouth are looking a lot more confident now!

The visitors want a second as Adam Smith wins a corner, allowing Ritchie to whip the ball back into the box. O'Kane tries to get up to head it in, but City do just enough to clear it. The Cherries get another chance to find an equaliser moments later as De Bruyne gives away a free kick, which Surman curls in for Murray again, but this time the striker can't get his head to it. This is much better stuff from the visiting side though.

BOOKING! Bakary Sagna is the first name in Mike Dean's book this afternoon as he catches Simon Francis late as the defender tries to get away a cross from the right flank. It also gives Bournemouth another free kick in a strong position.

Francis takes the free kick, taking it short to Ritchie who slots it through to Murray, but Otamendi is there to stop the striker getting a clean shot, and it's eventually cleared by Sterling.

Just as Bournemouth are starting to look capable of matching Manchester City, the home side restore their two-goal cushion as De Bruyne picks Sterling out with a perfect pass from midfield, leaving the winger to weave his way into the box before wrong-footing Federici and slotting the ball into the right corner for his second of the afternoon. It's a simply superb run from Sterling.

Bournemouth are keeping their heads up as they look to get a goal back again. Francis and O'Kane are proving a lively pairing down the right, as they work the ball forward against for Eddie Howe's side, with a cross from the latter winning a corner, but Ritchie's delivery is cleared by Toure.

Bournemouth have four players waiting in the box as Ritchie gets another cross in from the left, but Mangala is the first person to the ball, booting it away for City. Bournemouth soon have it back though, with Daniels and Ritchie trying to get the ball back in, but this time Zabaleta blocks it. Aside from the Murray goal, there hasn't been too much for Joe Hart to worry about yet, with his defenders working hard in front of him.

Sterling is on a hat-trick, and clearly think he can get his third before half time as he spots De Bruyne making another blistering charge down the left. Sterling cuts inside looking to get himself in space in the middle of the box, but his teammate's pass is cleared before it reaches him.

Man City are on the attack yet again as Bony picks up the ball just inside Bournemouth's half, running through the centre before being forced wide. He has Sterling in support, and tries to cross in for the winger, but Federici is off his line to claim it.

Bournemouth are trying to end the first half on the front foot, with Gosling and O'Kane just falling short as they play the ball forward, before Ritchie sees the ball turned behind as he tries to meet a through-ball from Gosling. Ritchie curls it back in from the corner, but Hart punches it away.

BOOKING! Nicolas Otamendi wiped Charlie Daniels out with a scissor challenge, earning himself a booking. That's two of the back four on a yellow for Man City now.

Ritchie takes the free kick, which is blocked, but O'Kane tries to keep the chance alive with a ball back in over the top. Otamendi is the first to get to it though, nodding it away to set Navas off on the counter-attack.

OFF THE BAR! Navas and Zabaleta try a one-two, with the latter unable to get on the end of Navas's ball in. Bournemouth can't clear it though, leaving De Bruyne to pick it up on the edge of the area. He hits it a the first time of asking, looking to sneak it under the bar, but Federici gets the slightest touch on it, diverting it up onto the crossbar, denying City a fourth.

Wow! It's a first-half hat-trick for Sterling, aided by some rather sloppy Bournemouth defending. Hart gathers from a Bournemouth ball into the box, launching it deep to Navas. The midfielder can't get his shot away, but manages to draw Surman and Federici off the line, allowing him to side-foot it to Sterling, leaving the winger with a wide open goal to slot in his third.

Well, that was certainly an action-packed first half at the Etihad Stadium. A hat-trick from Raheem Sterling splits the sides at the interval, while Glenn Murray and Wilfried Bony are also on the scoresheet.

Unsurprisingly, it was Man City who had more possession in the opening 45 minutes, with 54% of the ball. They had four times as many shots as Bournemouth, with all eight of their efforts on target! Bournemouth have had just the two shots, with Glenn Murray's goal the only one on target. The Man City defenders need to be careful through, as Sagna and Otamendi were both booked in the first half. With the Manchester derby next weekend, it would be a bad time to pick up a suspension!

Here's Raheem Sterling tapping in the first of his three goals so far this afternoon. You have to feel a bit sorry for Adam Federici, as the team only announced that Artur Boruc had picked up an injury in the warmups two minutes before kickoff. Although the keeper would have probably known a few minutes sooner, he really didn't have long to get himself ready for this match, and City have exploited that every time they've had a shot.
© Getty Images

Bournemouth have shown plenty of promise going forward, enjoying their best spell of the match so far just after Murray's goal. For a time, it looked like the visitors could get back on level terms, but Pellegrini's side have been clinical.

The players are starting to make their way back out ready for the restart.

RESTART! Man City get the second half underway.

SUB! The home side have made a change over half time, with Fernando coming on for Yaya Toure.

Bournemouth are on the front foot in the opening couple of minutes of the second half, with Surman trying to set up Ritchie to add to his first-half strike, but Sagna gets the ball away for the home side.

CHANCE! City are soon back on the attack looking for their fifth goal of the game. Sterling plays the ball through for Zabaleta, who has been involved going forward a few times this afternoon, but he's denied by a decent stop from Federici.

Bournemouth win a free kick when Adam Smith tangles with Fernandinho, but it takes the hosts just a few moments to get the ball back, resulting in De Bruyne trying to put the ball through for Sterling, but Sylvain Distin does enough to stop the England international breaking into the box.

Sterling is on the ball again, getting past Distin this time before trying to play the ball inside to Bony, but the pair get their communication a little muddled, allowing Bournemouth to start pressing back down the other end, but it's short-lived as O'Kane's pass towards Murray is intercepted by Zabaleta.

CHANCE! Murray has Hart diving to his right as the striker benefits from an O'Kane knock down after a long ball forward. Mangala is closing down on him though, forcing Murray to hurry hit shot, and he forces the ball just wide.

CHANCE! Just moments after Murray's shot, Man City almost make it five down the other end as Navas makes a break down the right before squaring it to Bony. The Ivorian calmly takes a touch before hammering the ball towards the bottom corner, but Federici gets behind it to make the save.

Sterling tries his luck from range, coming in from the wing before firing the ball in between two defenders, but the shot was always rising an ends up going well high.

SUB! Man City make their second change, sending on Samir Nasri in place of Kevin de Bruyne.

CHANCE! Sterling continues to pose a threat for the hosts as Bony plays the hat-trick man in again, leaving him with only the keeper to beat, but he manages to slice it inches wide.

SUB! It's a first change for Bournemouth as Shaun MacDonald takes the place of Eunan O'Kane.

Man City are passing the ball around for fun, with Navas, Zabaleta, Sterling and Nasri all getting touches around 30 yards out before forcing a throw in. Man City clearly don't need to press, but Pellegrini isn't happy that his players aren't pressing forward, shouting instructions from the sideline.

Simon Francis manages to force a corner for Bournemouth to give the visiting defenders a break. Ritchie remains on corner duty, but it's another lacklustre delivery from the Scottish international, which is soon claimed by Joe Hart.

Following a few stern words from Pellegrini on the sideline, Man City try to get the ball back in Bournemouth's half, with Bony and Navas playing it through the middle before the latter plays it through to Sterling, who still seems to have pace to spare, despite having run at practically every ball forward this afternoon. His first touch is lacking on this occasion though.

SUB! Bournemouth make another change as goalscorer Glenn Murray is going off. Josh King, who is a product of the Manchester United youth system, takes his place.

SUB! The changes are coming thick and fast as Man City make their final substitution. Hat-trick scorer Raheem Sterling gets a standing ovation as he's replaced by teenage striker Kelechi Iheanacho.

SUB! Bournemouth are making their third and final change as well with Marc Pugh, he hasn't trained this week, taking over from Adam Smith.

After a rather stop-start few minutes, Bournemouth try to make the most of the changes to Man City's shape, with Francis and Ritchie linking up down the right. Francis makes a cut-back from out wide, but Fernando is in the right place at the right take to make the clearance.

Iheanacho scored his first Premier League goal last month in the win over Crystal Palace, and looks keen to be involved again after coming on for a late cameo. The Nigerian skips through the middle before passing to Fernando, but the midfielder can't keep possession.

Bournemouth quickly press down the other end, with Pugh winning a free kick after being brought down by Otamendi just outside the box. The defender needs to be careful as he has already been booked. Surman slices it to Ritchie on the edge of the box, but he's too closely marked to be able to use it.

BOOKING! Bournemouth pick up their first yellow card of the day for Matt Richie following a shove on the back of Fernandinho.

CHANCE! Josh King won't get many better chances to score than than as Surman picks out the substitute with a pinpoint accurate cross, but he takes a touch rather than hitting the ball first time, allowing Mangala time to catch up and clear the ball.

Just at it looked like Man City were going to go all second half without adding to their half-time tally, Wilfried Bony bags his second of the after, squeezing the ball past Steve Cook from out wide after Jesus Navas, who has put in quite a shift in midfield, provides the through-ball.

There are three minutes of stoppage time to come. Although Man City will be delighted with the score, there could be a bit of a blow to come, with Samir Nasri having clutches his hamstring a few times over the last 10 minutes, and he's hardly moving now. City can't take him off as they've used all their subs.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Kelechi Iheanacho thinks that he's made it six for City as Bony selflessly plays him through despite being on a hat-trick himself, leaving the young striker to slide the ball into the far corner, only to see the assistant's flag go up for offside. It's a harsh call, as it looked like the striker timed his run to perfection, using his fresher legs to pull away from Daniels with ease.

The second half didn't quite live up expectations after the thrilling opening 45 minutes, but it's an impressive win regardless for Man City, with Wilfried Bony picking up a brace after Sterling netted a first-half hat-trick. It keeps the team top in the Premier League, and should fill them with confidence ahead of next week's Manchester derby.

That's all from this match, but if you want more Premier League action Watford and Arsenal kickoff shortly. You can find live coverage from that match here. Thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.