With most eyes on the bottom of the division, here is a reminder of the state of play...

Aston Villa's relegation will be confirmed if Norwich avoid defeat at home to Sunderland in the 12:45 BST kick-off.

But even if the Canaries lose, Villa still need to win against Manchester United at Old Trafford to avoid dropping out of the Premier League.

17th-placed Norwich have a four-point advantage over Sunderland, who are two points better off than Newcastle, although the two north-east clubs have a game in hand on the Canaries.

Image source, BBC Sport

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on Football Focus

"A draw is a decent result for Norwich because it gives them space. Sunderland’s performances have been better than their results."

If you click on the live coverage tab at the top of this page, you can listen in to live radio coverage of the game on BBC Radio 5 live. 

Live text commentary of the game is here.

The teams are out. Kick-off shortly.

John Hartson
Former Arsenal and Wales striker on Football Focus

If Norwich can go seven clear of Sunderland that would be a major boost, but it won’t be easy. Sunderland have been playing very well in recent weeks but not getting the results.

Football Focus

Norwich's Jonny Howson on today's crunch game: "Sometimes this is what you play for in football, to play in these big games, and you want to win it."

We're getting closer to kick-off in the big relegation rumble at Carrow Road. The Norwich fans are making the most of those clapper things. Basically, a slightly less annoying vuvuzela.

Terry Butcher
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

"For me Newcastle are down. There is a big fear factor there and it is one of those horrible situations with tough games coming up. It is a lost cause for them now.

"Newcastle need a miracle now and I can't see miracles coming to St James' Park."

For those at the back, the pick of Rafa's words of wisdom from today's programme are:

"We cannot expect you to give your total support if the level of effort does not appear to be there on the pitch.

"Passion on the field will bring passion in the stands, and that is something I have made very clear to the players this week."

Fighting talk.

Image source, Getty Images

Everyone associated with Liverpool will still basking in the afterglow of Thursday's amazing comeback win over Borussia Dortmund. But the club has received some bad news this morning...

Midfielder Emre Can has been ruled out for at least four weeks after rupturing ankle ligaments in this week's Europa League second leg.

He joins fellow midfielder Jordan Henderson on the sidelines and is set to miss the rest of the domestic season, including the Reds' semi-final tie against Villarreal.  

Mark Aldridge: Got called Olef (Melberg) for a fair while due to my surprisingly impressive beard for an under 18.

Al Mld: I used to get called 'Gazza' and they were not referring to the midfielder in his prime, lets put it that way.

Make-up: check. Shirt/jumper combo: check. Insight into this weekend's action: pending.

Get your multi-screens on and enjoy a bit of Football Focus, now showing on BBC One.

Ordinarily, you would describe the game at Carrow Road as a proper six-pointer. But with the TV revenue on offer in the Premier League from next season, it is probably more of a £200 millioner. No pressure then, lads.

If you want to follow only that game you can do so here.

I'll bring you updates on the major action, but will be mainly looking ahead to the shenanigans getting under way at 3pm.

Football Focus

Why does John Hartson have a beard? Which game was Debbie in make-up at this week? And will Lawro remember which French team super-sub David Fairclough scored against?

All this and more in Dan Walker's exclusive look behind the scenes of Football Focus,, external which will be starting soon on BBC One.

Cheers Mike.

So here we are; the business end. How are all you Sunderland and Norwich fans feeling? You all nervous up in Newcastle? And Villa supporters... well, I best leave you alone with your thoughts.

You only need glance at the expressions on the faces of the Norwich players as they come out for the warm-up at Carrow Road to know what is at stake today. Cameron Jerome looks like he's auditioning to play Batman, he's that serious.

Image source, Reuters

More swimming gala than Galatasaray.

Norwich are handing out 3,000 inflatable Canaries and some paper clapper things to keep the atmosphere pumping at Carrow Road.

And to keep things jumping on this live text, chief hype man Phil Dawkes has taken on the baton.

Bye from me.

Image source, Reuters

Is that the face of a confident man?

Fabio Borini has held off the challenge of Duncan Watmore to retain his place in the Sunderland team.

The Italian was whole-hearted against Leicester, but he also managed to smash a shot into his own face. , external

Room for improvement.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, PA

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce: "It would hurt immensely if the club got relegated, for the club's sake first, not mine. I've had a fantastic career.

"The players, most of them will never get a club better than this, in my opinion, with its facilities and its supporters, playing in the top league in the world, and they really need to realise that.

"Let's stay in the Premier League and let's make the club even better. That's their big challenge in the next six games."

As expected, defender Timm Klose is missing for Norwich after picking up an injury at Crystal Palace.

Sunderland are unchanged from the XI that lost to Leicester last time out with Duncan Watmore returning to the bench.

Image source, Reuters

One signing that has been good business for the Black Cats has been Jermain Defoe.

There were a few raised eyebrows when Sunderland brought him back from Major League Soccer at the age of 32 in January 2015.

But he has scored 15 goals in 29 appearances and, despite that infamous PA advert, seems to 'get it'.

"I did an appearance for the club the other day and there were these two women there," he told the Daily Mail.

"They just said: “Come on son, make sure you do it at the weekend”.

"That makes you realise you want to stay up so much for the people here in this town. When a club gets relegated bad things happen."