We're off!

Here's a reminder of the two teams...

Watford: Gomes, Cathcart, Kaboul, Britos, Amrabat, Doucoure, Cleverley, Holebas, Capoue, Niang, Okaka. 

Subs: Prodl, Mariappa, Deeney, Success, Zuniga, Janmaat, Pantilimon. 

Sunderland: Pickford, Jones, Kone, O'Shea, Denayer, Oviedo, Gibson, Januzaj, Rodwell, Borini, Defoe. 

Subs: Mannone, Djilobodji, Cattermole, Larsson, Khazri, Ndong, Manquillo.

The teams are heading out at a sunny Vicarage Road.

Watford in yellow and black and Sunderland in all white with blue trim.

Mark Scott
Match of the Day commentator

Sunderland will desperately be hoping Jermain Defoe's almost inevitable goal  on his England return  can kick-start a glut of them at club level, after what constitutes a mini barren patch by his high-scoring standards.

But others need to step up too in order to get the ball to him more often, as Defoe's been provided with hardly any opportunities during his - and the team's - four-match run without a goal.

Despite a seven-point cushion above the drop zone, there's some worry around Watford after just two league wins since mid-December has caused them to slip from seventh to 14th.

Walter Mazzarri insists he's 'not too concerned' about their position in the table - lose this one and that view might have to change.

Not a lot is the answer.

Watford have kept just one clean sheet in their last 18 Premier League matches but Sunderland have failed to score in six of their last seven - in fact could go five consecutive top-flight matches without a goal for the first time since February 1982.

Will we see Sunderland goals or a Watford lock out today?

The last three games between these sides at Vicarage Road have all ended in draws so don't rule out a tight one.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland have made the relegation escape act their own in recent seasons but will David Moyes repeat the 'success' of Paolo di Canio, Gus Poyet, Dick Advocaat and Sam Allardyce?

Well it is looking tough.

Across those seasons, Sunderland have never had as few points after 28 games and had four more points last season under Big Sam - before winning three and drawing six of their last 10 games to survive.

If Moyes is to repeat the trick, he'll have to find those wins soon...

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Similarly, David Moyes says his Sunderland side can take "no half measures" in today's game due to their perilous league position.

The Black Cats are seven points from safety but have a game in hand on some of the teams around them.

"We go into these games knowing we have to win them because they are running out," Moyes said.

"We have got a big week now, three games this week coming up, so we have to look to take points.

"Watford are a powerful team. I think they've done fine and they have some good players in their team, so it'll be a tough game."

Image source, Getty Images

Watford boss Walter Mazzarri wants his players to treat the last 10 games of the season as "cup finals" to avoid being dragged into relegation danger.

"We always want to win and would like to win this game. I heard the Sunderland manager said they are coming here to get three points," he said.

"We will try and win and play the way I like, we will give everything for sure. Let's not forget that Sunderland are a strong team."

Watford captain Troy Deeney (illness) and defender Sebastian Prödl (calf) are both only fit enough to make the bench, while Valon Behrami and Daryl Janmaat are also out of the team that lost at Crystal Palace last time out.

Stefano Okaka, Nordin Amrabat, Abdoulaye Doucouré and José Holebas come into the starting 11.

Watford XI: Gomes, Cathcart, Kaboul, Britos, Amrabat, Doucoure, Cleverley, Holebas, Capoue, Niang, Okaka. 

Subs: Prodl, Mariappa, Deeney, Success, Zuniga, Janmaat, Pantilimon. 

Sunderland make just one change with Lamine Kone returning for Sebastian Larsson which suggests a return to midfield for Jason Denayer.

Lee Cattermole, who has been out since September with a hip injury, is among the substitutes.

Sunderland XI: Pickford, Jones, Kone, O'Shea, Denayer, Oviedo, Gibson, Januzaj, Rodwell, Borini, Defoe. 

Subs: Mannone, Djilobodji, Cattermole, Larsson, Khazri, Ndong, Manquillo. 

This is how the bottom six looks before today's game with Watford 14th on 31 points.

These two side's have strangely similar records of late. Both are four games without a win while Sunderland have won just two of their last 14 games and Watford two of their last 13.

The Hornets reached the heights of seventh in December but have been on the slide since.

A win for Watford would calm the nerves at Vicarage Road while three points for David Moyes' side will move them off the bottom with Middlesbrough not playing until Sunday.

Image source, Getty Images

It may be 1 April but there can be no fooling around today.

Sunderland are rock bottom of the Premier League, seven points from safety.

Watford meanwhile are 14th but are on a worrying downward slide and could be just three points off the drop by the end of the day.

This one is huge for both sides. Who'll come out on top? 

Let's find out.

Image source, PA