The sprinklers are on, the sun is out and we're just about ready for one of the key games of the day - and the Premier League season. Let's get some pre-match thoughts from Match of the Day commentator Guy Mowbray...

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson: "It's a big game against a side who have had so good recent results themselves.

"The danger is people start assuming that results elsewhere are the key but it's still in our hands. We're looking to get our own results right.

"It's a case of making sure we concentrate on this game and work hard to try to win it. I've said if we can get to the last game of the season with our destiny in our own hands, that would be a good outcome given where we were.

"This gives us an opportunity to get there a little bit earlier, but we've got to work hard."

Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat: "We know that every game is important. Today's is important for both sides. I think Leicester will have the same feeling as us. The intention is always the same - to win.

"We have made changes in personnel but the organisation of the team will stay the same. There will be not so many changes. We have two players injured, but that's the way it goes at this stage of the season."

Let's get down to the team news.

Dick Advocaat is forced into two Sunderland changes as midfielder Jordi Gomez has a fractured kneecap and centre-back Wes Brown also has a knee problem. Liam Bridcutt and John O'Shea come in.

Leicester midfielder Matty James has been ruled out for up to nine months with cruciate knee ligament damage, and so Andy King replaces him. Otherwise, it's the same line-up that started last Saturday's 2-0 win over Southampton.

Sunderland XI: Pantilimon; Jones, Coates, O'Shea, Van Aanholt; Larsson, Cattermole, Bridcutt; Defoe, Graham, Wickham.

Leicester XI: Schmeichel; Wasilewski, Huth, Morgan; Albrighton, King, Cambiasso, Schlupp; Mahrez, Ulloa, Vardy.

This is the state of play at kick-off. It's worth bearing in mind that Aston Villa, in 14th place, are not safe yet either after a staggering 6-1 lunchtime defeat at Southampton.

I'll keep you up to date with the two other games to watch out for in terms of the relegation battle this afternoon, but each match also has its own dedicated text commentary:

QPR v Newcastle (15:00 BST)

Tottenham v Hull (15:00 BST)

Those four sides, if you're wondering: Paris St-Germain (21), Barcelona, Real Madrid and Borussia Monchengladbach (19 each). Exalted company.

Image source, Getty Images

On the pitch, though, much could be sorted out today. Sunderland and Leicester have, at various stages of this season, looked destined for the drop. Yet either could, potentially, secure their Premier League safety this afternoon. Whoever wins today will be guaranteed survival if results elsewhere go in their favour.

For Leicester in particular, that's an extraordinary achievement, considering they were seven points adrift of safety at the beginning of April. Their recent form has been little short of miraculous...

Advocaat has steered Sunderland to the brink of safety since being appointed on a short-term basis on 17 March - but will he stay on if he keeps them up?

"No, no, no I'll get a divorce," he said last weekend. Mrs Advocaat had spoken - or so we thought. Her husband was a little more circumspect when asked on Friday, saying: "I think it's better to wait until after next weekend."

Advocaat's future, it seems, is as up in the air as Sunderland's. As for his marriage, well, that's anyone's guess...

Image source, Reuters

After last Saturday's 2-0 win at Everton lifted his side out of the Premier League's relegation zone, Sunderland head coach Dick Advocaat was asked by a journalist: "Will staying up rank among your finest achievements?"

Advocaat's response: "No. I have won 15 titles."

Fair point - but it would still be a cause for celebration at the Stadium of Light if Sunderland could get over the safety line today.