Good evening! The battle against relegation is heating up and at the KC Stadium today two teams who are involved in the scrap will be looking for vital points. Can Hull make it three wins out of three at home, or will Sunderland come out on top following a turbulent few days?

Sadly, the build up to today's match has been dominated by news of Adam Johnson's arrest on Monday on suspicion of having sexual activity with a minor. He has been bailed for two weeks, but Sunderland have suspended him pending the outcome of the police investigation.

It is a further blow to the Black Cats' chances of escaping relegation and they will surely miss a player of Johnson's calibre. Things really haven't been easy for the club this season and at the weekend they fell to a controversial 2-0 defeat at Manchester United. There was a case of mistaken identity, as Wes Brown was sent off in an incident where his fellow defender John O'Shea had fouled United's Radamel Falcao, but that red card has since been rescinded by the Football Association.

Hull were also in action at the weekend and they too were beaten. In a game of little quality and very few chances against Stoke, a Peter Crouch header condemned them to a 1-0 defeat at the Britannia and put a stop to their three-game unbeaten run.

There's still plenty to discuss between now and kick off, but I think it's about time we had a look at the team news from the KC.

HULL XI: McGregor, Dawson, Bruce, McShane, Elmohamady, Robertson, Huddlestone, Livermore, Meyler, Jelavic, N'Doye

SUNDERLAND XI: Pantilimon, Reveilere, Vergini, Brown, O'Shea, Cattermole, Bridcutt, Rodwell, Larsson, Defoe, Graham

HULL SUBS: Harper, Figueroa, Davies, Quinn, Ramirez, Hernandez, Aluko

SUNDERLAND SUBS: Mannone, Gomez, Alvarez, van Aanholt, Coates, Fletcher, Wickham

That's how the two teams will be lining up this evening. Hull have made three changes to their side, as Nikica Jelavic returns from injury, Dame N'Doye is back after being rested and Andrew Robertson is recalled to the defence.

Meanwhile, there are four changes for the visitors this evening, with Santiago Vergini, Liam Bridcutt, Jack Rodwell and Danny Graham returning to the starting XI. Wes Brown and John O'Shea are also able to play, with neither player receiving up a ban following the events at Old Trafford on Saturday.

It's hard to judge whether Hull have underperformed this season, or if expectations of them were always going to be unrealistically high. Following their promotion to the top flight last time around, they did just about enough to survive and also reached the FA Cup final, where they came so close to causing an upset against the eventual winners Arsenal.

They made a number of signings to bolster their squad during the summer after winning qualification to the Europa League, but they were knocked out in the play-offs before the end of August. Some players like Michael Dawson have impressed, but a combination of poor form and injuries has stopped high-profile arrivals such as Abel Hernandez, Tom Ince and Robert Snodgrass from making the desired impact.

Perhaps it is no surprise to see them sitting 15th in the table and four points clear of the relegation zone as the main objective for the club each season has to be survival above everything else. The Tigers actually didn't start off the campaign too badly, but they were in free fall after a 10 game winless run from mid-October to Boxing Day.

Just one victory in January followed, but they fared much better last month. They gained a morale-boosting draw against Manchester City, before claiming back-to-back home wins against Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers. It was always going to be hard for them to get anything from their game against Stoke on Saturday, but today gives them the perfect chance to get back on track and edge closer to safety.

Just below Hull in the table are a Sunderland side who are desperately out of form. Their defeat at Man United at the weekend stretched their run without a win to four games, while they have claimed just one victory in the league since Christmas.

Everything seems to be going wrong from for the Black Cats at the moment and Wes Brown's sending off at Old Trafford was yet another blow. Even though Sunderland have a three-point lead over their rivals in the relegation zone, Gus Poyet will surely be aiming for at least a point today, with a huge clash against fellow strugglers Aston Villa to come when they return to league action next weekend.

A real problem for Sunderland all season has been their lack of goals. This has been especially evident in recent weeks, as they have not found the net in their last three games. Only Aston Villa (13) have scored less and they really need to do more to create chances for the likes of Jermain Defoe and Connor Wickham in the remaining weeks of the campaign.

The last time that these teams met, it was Hull who came out on top with a 3-1 win. Sunderland actually took an early lead, with Adam Johnson capitalising on a defensive mix-up to score in under 30 seconds. However, Gaston Ramirez fired in the equaliser and shortly after the break James Chester headed in from a corner to give Hull the lead. The points were sealed when Nikica Jelavic slotted home deep into stoppage time as the Tigers ended their long wait for a victory.

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That win was actually the fourth in a row for Hull against Sunderland. However, the Tigers had lost their last previous six games against tonight's opponents and in the overall head to head statistics, it is the Black Cats who lead with 19 wins from their 38 meetings

PREDICTION: This is such an important game for both teams and I am expecting a really tense and nervous atmosphere. Hull should be slightly more confident after their recent run of form and the crowd at the KC will get right behind them. In contrast, things keep going from bad to worse for Sunderland and I can't see it getting any better for them tonight. So, I am going to tip the hosts to pick up a 2-1 win that will move them seven points clear of the bottom three and massively boost their survival chances.

There's not long to go until kick off and if this statistic is anything to by then we could be in for a feisty game!

6 - There have been six red cards in seven PL games between Hull and Sunderland, with five coming in the last four meetings. Feisty. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 3, 2015

Both sets of players are out on the pitch and we are now just a couple of minutes away from kick off. As well as our coverage here, we've got live action from the other two Premier League fixtures taking place this evening.

KICKOFF! We are underway at the KC Stadium!

It's been a pretty even start to the match, but Sunderland are looking the most threatening. They have already got into some decent positions and have seen a couple of dangerous crosses cause some panic in the hosts' defence.

Hull certainly missed Jelavic at the weekend and he is looking to get involved as much possible here. He has had a couple of efforts, with a scuffed strike followed up by a powerful attempt that ended up going wide.

The visitors have really taken control now and they are putting the Sunderland defence under a lot of pressure. They are getting lots of support from the fans, who are making plenty of noise whenever they get into the final third.

YELLOW CARD! Brown leaves Elmohamady in a heap on the pitch after a heavy challenge and picks up an early booking for the hosts. The Egyptian looks in some pain and the last thing Hull will want now is an injury.

What a great start for Hull as they take the lead in this vital relegation clash. Play had been stopped for a few minutes while Elmohamady received treatment, but from the restart Huddlestone fires in a low free kick from the edge of the box that N'Doye flicks into the bottom corner. It was a brilliant touch from the Senegal international and Sunderland really have it all to do now.

Sunderland looked quite bright in the early stages, but you have got to worry for them now. They haven't scored in their last three games and are yet to manage a shot so far this evening.

The Black Cats do have their first attempt on goal, but it is not one to remember for Defoe. The striker does well to work some room on the edge of the box and shifts the ball onto his right foot before firing well wide of the target.

This is a lot better now from the visitors, who are starting to see much more of the ball. They very nearly create a good chance as Graham gets in down the left and plays a teasing low ball across the box, but none of his teammates are there to take advantage and Hull are able to clear with ease.

N'Doye has shown some fine touches already and he battles for the ball on the edge of the box, before slipping it through to Jelavic. The Croatian then sees his low effort blocked by the keeper, but the flag was raised on the far side anyway.

Hull really are looking dangerous from set pieces and they threaten again from a corner. The visitors can only clear it to Livermore on the edge of the box, who is not closed down quickly enough, but he can't quite control the strike and lashes it well over the bar.

Sunderland are still seeing more of the ball, but as yet they have not been able to trouble McGregor. Hull seem happy to let them play and just sit back and wait to hit them on the counter.

Having just spoken about the danger that Hull pose on the counter, they break quickly with Livermore charging free down the right. He then pulls a decent low ball across the box looking for the run of Jelavic, but it is just behind the striker and Pantilimon is able to mop up the danger.

YELLOW CARD! Rodwell is the second player to pick up a card for diving inside the box. There was no contact as he charged past Bruce and it's a great spot by the referee.

It's all kicking off now and that booking from the referee resulted in an angry response from Poyet. He is then sent to the stands by Dean, but before he leaves the dugout he has a word with Bruce, who has to be held back by the fourth official. I mentioned before about the number of red cards in previous fixtures between these teams, but I didn't see one of the managers being dismissed!

YELLOW CARD! The cards are starting to pile up now and McShane goes into the book for a poor tackle on Defoe. With half time just a few minutes away, both teams really need to head to the dressing room and cool down for a bit.

PENALTY APPEAL: Hull have a big shout for a penalty when O'Shea drags down Jelavic inside the box following a corner. It is a clear foul from the Sunderland man and had it been spotted by the referee he would have had no choice but to give the spot kick.

We are going to have three minutes added on to the end of this first half.

A very watchable first half comes to an end with Hull in the driving seat. Dame N'Doye's fine goal has given them the lead and Sunderland are all in sorts of trouble. Gus Poyet was also sent to the stands as things threatened to boil over at the KC.

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Let's take a quick look at the stats from the 45 minutes. Sunderland have seen the majority of the ball, with 56% of the possession, but they have only managed two efforts on goal. Hull, meanwhile, have had six attempts and most importantly have found the back of the net.

Sunderland are really lacking ideas in the final third and Hull's defence have not had too many problems. A dangerous cross from Graham and a shot wide from Defoe was as good as it got for the Black Cats. They do have Wickham and Fletcher on the bench and both strikers are more than capable of grabbing a goal.

I've already mentioned how well N'Doye has played and he has made the difference tonight. He took his goal so well and has caused plenty of problems for the Sunderland backline.

4 - Four of Hull City's last five PL goals have seen the direct involvement of Dame N'Doye (three goals and one assist). Integral. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 3, 2015

Sunderland take the kick off and get the match back underway!

YELLOW CARD! With just a minute played of the second half we have seen our first booking. Bridcutt is the man who gets it for a high and poor challenge on Jelavic that could easily have earned him a red card, but a yellow is all that is brandished by the referee.

CHANCE! This is a really big chance for the hosts to double their lead. Robertson breaks down the left and swings over a great cross that finds N'Doye at the back post. The striker takes the ball down brilliantly on his chest and instead of shooting he opts to pull the ball back to Jelavic, but O'Shea is there to make a vital clearance.

The game has become really scrappy since the break and there have been a host of stoppages. It's not quite as fiery as it was before the break, but we are still seeing some poor challenges from each team.

Surely it's only a matter of time until we see the first change from Sunderland, as they cannot afford to let this game drift away. They are yet to have a shot since half time and a goal doesn't look like it is coming any time soon.

CHANCE! Sunderland finally pose a threat and they do get an attempt in on goal. It comes from a corner, as O'Shea rises highest to power in a header that takes a slight deflection and goes inches wide of the far post.

SHOT! Having almost conceded at one end, Hull break quickly and create a very decent opening. Livermore leads the charge and he gets to the edge of the box before pulling the ball across for N'Doye. The striker then goes to curl the ball with a first-time strike, but he gets it all wrong and places his shot well over the top.

YELLOW CARD! With all the bookings we have had this evening, it is no surprise that Cattermole has now gone into the referee's notebook. He takes down Meyler rather cynically and he can have no complaints after being shown a yellow card.

SUBSTITUTION: The visitors make their first change of the evening, with Alvarez coming on to replace Cattermole.

SHOT! Rodwell forces McGregor into his first save of the match, as he picks the ball up 25 yards out from goal and fires in a strike. It takes a slight deflection on its way, but instead of causing any problems, it sends the ball straight down the middle and safely into the keeper's arms.

CHANCE! Hull have delivered some great balls into the box this evening and this time Elmohamady's cross from the right picks out N'Doye in the middle, but he is put under pressure from O'Shea and can only place his header over the bar.

SHOT! It's another attempt on goal for the hosts as Robertson collects the ball just outside the box, before curling a decent attempt narrowly over the bar. If we are to see another goal it looks more likely to come from Hull, but there is always a chance for the Black Cats with the score so finely poised.

SUBSTITUTION: It's a first change for Hull, as Jelavic heads off to be replaced by Hernandez.

DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION: Sunderland are also going to change things around, with Van Aanholt and Wickham both coming on for Graham and Vergini.

CHANCE! What a big chance this is for the Tigers to double their lead! Elmohamady charges down the right and gets to the byline before pulling the ball back across the box. Livermore arrives and makes decent contact, but he can only direct his effort straight into the grateful hands of McGregor.

Hull are made to pay for that missed chance as Sunderland score a questionable equaliser. The ball is played out wide to Van Aanholt, who stands up a great cross to the back post that is headed in by Rodwell. However, a closer look shows that the ball may have hit the hand of the goalscorer before crossing the line.

SAVE! Hull really have had some great chances in this game to score a second and they pass up yet another opening. Elmohamady swings in a fine cross from the right that is headed goalwards by N'Doye, but Pantilimon is there to make a vital save and push the ball to safety.

Even though Hull are well on top, this game could go either way and Sunderland may be sensing that they could score a late winner. It has been frantic over the last few minutes, but there has just been a short stoppage due to Bruce receiving some medical attention.

YELLOW CARD! Alvarez is the latest player to pick up a booking for not moving the required distance away from a Hull free kick.

CHANCE! Van Aanholt has made such a great impact since coming on and he whips another delightful ball into the box. He ends up picking out Rodwell, he meets the ball on the volley, but he can't keep his shot down and hammers it over the bar.

There is still plenty of time for one of these sides to find a winner, as five minutes of stoppage time have been added on.

The referee blows his whistle and brings an end to the match, with neither side able to create any further chances in stoppage time. Sunderland will surely be happier with the final result after Rodwell's late equaliser, but Hull will reflect on a host of missed opportunities.

I'm afraid that's all we've got time for after an entertaining game at the KC Stadium. Make sure you stick around, as I'll be bringing you match analysis and player ratings of tonight's clash shortly. Until then, goodbye!