Afternoon all. Well, what a huge game we will be covering here on Sports Mole today. It's an encounter that neither side can afford to lose as struggling Hull City take on bottom of the table Burnley at the KC Stadium. As you'll probably already know, anything but a win for the visitors this afternoon and they will be relegated.

UPDATE! Before we get stuck into some team news, there is a game currently going on that could have an impact on both of these sides. Sunderland started today in the bottom three, but they lead Everton 1-0 at Goodison Park, which if it stays that way, will see Hull drop into the relegation zone. As for Burnley, it will mean that the Black Cats are out of their reach. You can follow our live text updates of that clash here.

And now to the team news, starting with hosting Hull...

HULL XI: Harper; Dawson, Chester, McShane; Elmohamady, Brady; Huddlestone, Livermore, Quinn, Aluko; N'Doye

HULL SUBS: McGregor, Rosenior, Bruce, Robertson, Meyler, Hernandez, Jelavic

They may have lost last time out against Arsenal, but Steve Bruce has stuck with the same starting lineup. It means that veteran goalkeeper Steve Harper has retained his place between the posts. Meanwhile, up front, January signing Dame N'Doye will lead the attack, with Sone Aluko offering the support. Strikers Abel Hernandez and Nikica Jelavic have both been named on the bench.

And now for the visitors...

BURNLEY XI: Heaton; Trippier, Shackell, Duff, Mee; Boyd, Jones, Arfield, Taylor; Barnes, Ings

BURNLEY SUBS: Gilks, Keane, Ward, Kightly, Ulvestad, Vokes, Jutkiewicz

As they have been on so many occasions this season under Sean Dyche's management, Burnley are unchanged. Of course there had been some doubt over the availability of centre-back Michael Duff after he was sent off against West Ham United last weekend. However, that decision was overturned and he will continue his partnership in the heart of the defence alongside Jason Shackell. Further up the pitch, Danny Ings will play alongside Ashley Barnes in attack.

UPDATE! Let's quickly head back to Goodison Park, where Sunderland still lead 1-0. They are under big pressure, though, with 15 minutes remaining. Everton have had 90% of the possession in the last five minutes, but the Black Cats are holding on.

GOING DOWN? Burnley have won themselves many admirers this season, but sadly for them, the writing seems to be very much on the wall. Only a win will preserve their Premier League status, but barring a miracle, it's only delaying the inevitable.

© Getty Images

There are obviously a number of reasons as to why Burnley are on the verge of relegation, but the main one has to be their lack of goals. Just 26 in 35 matches to date is not enough. Ings, who is reportedly close to sealing a move to Liverpool, is the player that has been charged with the task of scoring goals, but he hasn't found the net in his last 10 outings.

GOAL! Talking of goals, there has been another on Merseyside and it's not good news for these two sides. Sunderland are now 2-0 up thanks Jermain Defoe and look like they will be moving up to 14th.

Back to Burnley and their manager Dyche - let's take a look at what he has had to say in the days leading up to his game.

"There is still belief in us, we still go forward and we still look forward to the next game and trying to win it," he told the club's official website.

"It's for us to turn up and give a performance. It's a simple as that and that is what we've been trying to do all season."

Meanwhile, his opposite number Bruce offered up: "We realise the importance of the game. It's not going to be the defining game, but we'd love to get a result from it and that would put us in a healthy situation.

"It's been so up and down over the last few weeks, but make no mistake, we know that if we can post three points on Saturday you hope that it will be three points towards keeping us up, but even then there's still two games to go and all to play for. It looks like it's going to go down to the wire and we've got to be ready for that."

FULL TIME: It's all over at Goodison Park and Sunderland have indeed recorded a massive 2-0 victory. It means that Hull are now in the bottom three. This game just got even bigger!

VIDEO PREVIEW! Back at the KC Stadium, we've just seen what the two managers have had their say, but how about the Sports Mole Sofa? Here, our very own Matt Law and Pascal Lemesre look ahead to this encounter. Watch them put across their thoughts below:

Is there any reason for optimism for those of a Burnley persuasion? Well, they did record their first win of the season over Hull back in November. In fact, the Clarets have won eight of their nine games against Hull, including on their last visit to the KC Stadium back in 2012.

Before we get underway, it's probably worth you familiarising yourself with the Premier League table. You can do just that by clicking here.

There is certainly a very good atmosphere building inside the KC Stadium. It seems that the fans are well aware as to how important this game is for their club. If Hull were to lose, their Premier League status would be hanging by a thread.

Right, the players are now making their way out of the tunnel and on to the pitch. Not long now until we are off and running on Humberside.

KICKOFF! Visiting Burnley get this hugely important game underway. Remember, they must win to stand any chance of being a Premier League club next season.

It's been a bright start by the away side, who have forced an early corner. It's come to nothing, but it's a sign perhaps that they are not going to go down without a fight.

UPDATE! More bad news for Hull because Leicester, who started the day one point and one place above them, are 1-0 up on Southampton. This is becoming more and more of a must win game for the hosts!

And, in what is a game that Hull need to win, they've been on the back foot. Burnley are the side that have started positively and they are in control of proceedings right now. They are yet to create a goalscoring chance of note, but it's been a good opening 10 minutes for Dyche's men nevertheless.

That's better from Hull, who have finally applied some pressure. First, Brady sends his strike from a free-kick into the wall and then Huddlestone's effort from distance is deflected wide for a corner. That's certainly lifted the home fans.

Now it's Burnley's turn to get forward as right-back Trippier sends a trademark teasing delivery into the Hull area. Sadly for the Clarets, no-one has gambled to move across the front post and McShane is able to clear with relative ease. That cross deserved much better.

UPDATE! It's very much over to Hull as Leicester take a 2-0 lead over Southampton, with Riyad Mahrez scoring both goals. As it stands, the Foxes will be two points clear of Hull.

CHANCE! A real opening for Burnley as Brady runs unopposed to the byline. He pulls the ball back six yards from goal, but Shackell is alert to the danger and he manages to send the ball over his own crossbar.

CHANCE! At this stage of the season, Elmohamady really needs to be doing much better with this opportunity. It's one wing-back to another as Brady swings over a cross towards the back post for the Egyptian, but he sends his headed effort well over the crossbar. At the very least he should have called Heaton into action.

As for Burnley, they are having plenty of possession inside the Hull half, but it's the final pass that is currently lacking.

CHANCE! And just as I say that, they create a chance. Jones sends over a corner from the right, which is met by Barnes. He loops a header towards goal, but there is too much height on the ball and it ends up landing on the roof of the net.

CHANCE! Meanwhile, an inswinging corner from Brady up the other end is perfect for McShane, who leaps highest. There is plenty of power on the centre-back's header, but it flies inches over the bar. That's the closest that we've come to the deadlock being broken.

SAVE! Moments later, Burnley counter-attack and go close to scoring themselves. Taylor's cross from the left is headed goalwards by Barnes, but Harper is down early to hold at the second attempt. This game is starting to really open up.

UPDATE! There is better news for Hull coming from St James' Park, where Newcastle trail West Brom 1-0 thanks to a goal from Victor Anichebe. It means that even if Hull end up with just a point and the Magpies lose, Hull will be out of the bottom three. Of course, there is a long way to go.

OFF THE BAR! What an effort from Hull wing-back Brady, who goes ever so close to scoring the game's first goal. His shot from a set-piece situation 25 yards from goal has too much pace on it for Heaton, but the Burnley goalkeeper is saved by his crossbar.

All of sudden there is much more urgency from Hull. It's they who are dominating proceedings, with Brady heavily involved. He's getting forward well from his left wing-back position and is sending some dangerous crosses into the penalty area.

UPDATE! And now they desperately need a goal because Newcastle have equalised, sending Hull back into the bottom three. You get the feeling that there will still be plenty more twists and turns before the final whistles are blown around the country.

There will be one minute of stoppage time at the end of this first half.

After 45 minutes, there's every chance that this game is going to be last in the running order of tonight's Match of the Day unless there is a dramatic improvement. There's be no goals and very little openings in what is a game that both sides have to win.

Whatever way you dress it up, Hull have been disappointing. They need to win this game and have posed very little threat, but for a 10-minute spell in that first half. They seem to be playing with a little bit of fear, with the exception of Brady, who has been the best player on the pitch.

As for Burnley, it's been the same old story. They've done well up until the final pass, which has often been poor and killed the attacks. That is the reason why they are more than likely going to be relegated. To their credit, though, they keep going and are sticking at the challenge ahead of them.

MATCH ACTION! Before the second half gets underway, here's a shot of Hull's Elmohamady going for goal during the first half:

© Getty Images

RESTART! The home side get us back underway at the KC Stadium. They need to show much more in this second half, while a draw would relegate Burnley.

CHANCE! Positive start to the half by Burnley as Ings swings over a cross for his strike partner Barnes. He has his back to goal, but that doesn't put him off trying an acrobatic overhead kick, which skids just wide of the target. Then, up the other end, Huddlestone tests Heaton with a shot from distance.

What a great start to the half it's been from Burnley. They go close again as Taylor fizzes a cross into the box from the left wing. Barnes gets across Dawson and he appears to have a routine headed chance, but he fails to make a clean connection with the ball and the opening is gone.

PENALTY APPEAL! Now Burnley want a penalty, well, two to be precise! Ings bursts into the Hull area and then hits the deck under a challenge from McShane - no penalty given. The ball runs for Barnes, who also falls over, but again the referee doesn't point to the spot. Ings, in particular, is fuming.

HULL SUBS: A double switch for Bruce, who has seen enough. Off comes McShane and Livermore to be replaced by Meyler and Jelavic. Whether that means a change in formation, we shall see.

And indeed there has been an alteration in tactics from Bruce. His side have now matched up Burnley in a 4-4-2 formation.

Burnley may be heading for the Championship, but they are trying to take Hull with them! Hull go down to 10 men as Dawson requires treatment on the sidelines for a nosebleed. It's a costly absence for the home side as they fail to clear a corner and are punished as Ings swivels inside the area and powers a low shot beyond Harper's reach. It's a great finish from the striker and is his first goal since February. As for Hull, the situation looks bleak.

HULL SUB: Final change for Hull and it's the anonymous Aluko that leaves the action to be replaced by club-record signing Hernandez. The Uruguayan has only scored four goals this season - what Hull would give for him to take his tally to five or even six in the remaining minutes!

BOOKING! The first yellow card of the contest goes to a frustrated Jelavic for dissent towards referee Martin Atkinson.

SAVE! It's almost an instant impact from Hernandez! Heaton commits to diving for Quinn's header, which hits Hernandez. The striker back-heels the ball goalwards, but the visiting goalkeeper shows good reflexes to deny him. What a goal that would have been, but Hull still trail.

Incidentally, if Burnley hold on, as it stands they are still going down. They need either Newcastle (drawing) or Aston Villa (winning) to lose.

OFF THE BAR! He's hit the bar again! In an almost identical position from his effort during the first half, Brady curls his effort towards goal. Once again Heaton is grasping at thin air, but the ball cannons to safety off the crossbar. So unlucky for Republic of Ireland international.

BURNLEY SUB: First change of the afternoon for Burnley and it's Taylor that takes his leave, with Stephen Ward replacing him.

BOOKING! It's a yellow card for goalscorer Ings as he catches Dawson on the shin. Time is running out for Hull.

We've had a brief stoppage in play while Barnes is down receiving treatment for a head injury. It's brave from the Burnley player, who threw himself into a challenge as N'Doye shot for goal.

Now we have an onslaught from Hull, who look understandably desperate. A couple of corners have caused nervy moments, while Hernandez headed wide when well placed. Burnley are holding on for now, but they are starting to wobble.

BURNLEY SUB: Another change for Burnley and it's the likely match-winner Ings that comes off. He's been replaced by centre-back Michael Keane.

Hull have four minutes to rescue themselves something from this game. As it stands, Burnley are going down, despite the fact that they lead.

Hull are giving away silly fouls and that is playing into Burnley's hands. Only 60 seconds left.

It's a bittersweet win for Burnley, who have had it confirmed by results elsewhere that they will be playing in the Championship next season. As for Hull, they are now in the bottom three and could well be joining the Clarets in the second tier if this result and performance is anything to go by.

That is all we have time for from the KC Stadium, but be sure to stick with Sports Mole over the next couple of hours for reaction, analysis and player ratings from all of today's Premier League games. Until next time, goodbye.