Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Hull City.

When the Premier League fixture list was released last June, both Crystal Palace and Hull City would have tentatively anticipated that this match could be of high importance and as it has turned out, it is of the ultimate importance. This may not be the final weekend of the campaign but this is a pivotal match which will have direct consequences for three clubs ahead of next season. Some of you may be suffering from hangovers this morning but spare a thought for the supporters of the Eagles and the Tigers. Whatever you drank last night, they will probably feel that they need it come 2pm this afternoon.

Whichever way you look at it, Swansea City's 2-0 win over Sunderland yesterday afternoon only upped the stakes ahead of this match. The Welsh club now know that they will be assured of a place in the Premier League next season if Palace emerge victorious today while they will be all but guaranteed their spot if the game ends in a draw due to their better goal difference. If Hull prevail, well, we will have some scenario next weekend with three teams being separated by one point and looking to avoid finishing in 18th position.

Anyway, without further ado, let's get cracking with the team news coming from Selhurst Park. Given that both clubs suffered embarrassing defeats last weekend, we should probably expect some changes...

CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Hennessey, Ward, Schlupp, Kelly, Tomkins, Milivojevic, Cabaye, Puncheon, Benteke, Zaha, Townsend

CRYSTAL PALACE SUBSTITUTES: Speroni, Van Aanholt, Flamini, Campbell, McArthur, Sako, Delaney

HULL CITY XI: Jakupovic, Ranocchia, Maguire, Dawson, N'Diaye, Elmohamady, Clucas, Robertson, Grosicki, Niasse, Evandro

HULL CITY SUBSTITUTES: Davies, Huddlestone, Elabdellaoui, Maloney, Mbokani, Marshall, Bowen

Palace boss Sam Allardyce has decided to make just the two alterations, despite witnessing his team lose 5-0 to Manchester City last weekend. He has been given a big boost with the return of centre-back James Tomkins - who replaces Patrick van Aanholt - while Yohan Cabaye is in for James McArthur.

As for Hull, they are make two changes, with Lazar Markovic and Abel Hernandez both having to miss out through injury. Michael Dawson and Evandro are the duo to come into the side in their place.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's match represents the 54th time in which these two clubs have faced each other in a competitive fixture, with Hull claiming 20 victories and Palace winning 15 times. Since 2005, both clubs have been familiar with one another in both the Premier League and second tier, with 17 games having taken place during that time. Hull hold the bragging rights from the last three contests, however, with two wins and a draw being registered since October 2014.

The reverse fixture took place back in December and it proved to be one of the most entertaining matches of the season. Both teams held the lead in a back-and-forth encounter at the KCOM Stadium before Fraizer Campbell last-minute equaliser earned Palace a 3-3 draw. We are sure that you want to take a look back at that match so get clicking here.

In games of this magnitude, form may not matter all that much but that theory is particularly evident here because both clubs have earned seven points from their last six matches. They have come in different circumstances - with Palace losing their last three and Hull earning four points during that same period - but all in all, the points return shows why both clubs are scrapping it out at the bottom of the table.

In January, Marco Silva took a calculated punt on Oumar Niasse, who he loaned from Everton. The signing has proven to be a success but the forward is without a goal in his last five appearances. He has contributed to the team in other ways but Silva needs the Senegalese international to come to the fore this afternoon. With Markovic and Hernandez both missing, the onus is on the 27-year-old to make something happen.

Allardyce will also have concerns over his frontline with three matches being played without his attackers hitting the back of the net, but the bigger worry has been in defence. That's why the return of Tomkins has come at just the right time, even though he will be short of match fitness. He was part of the backline which kept three consecutive clean sheets a couple of months ago and although much of the praise was given to Mamadou Sakho, Tomkins also played his part and it isn't an exaggeration that he could make the difference this afternoon.

PREDICTION! We will be honest - we haven't got a clue how this match is going to go! Palace have been strong at home and Hull haven't won in 17 away games in the Premier League. That said. Marco Silva has already shown this season that he can get something extra out of his players and when push comes to shove, we think he will guide his team to a 2-1 win.

This is just the first of three Premier League matches to be played today. There is not much riding on the game involving Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United - aside from it being the last fixture to be staged at White Hart Lane - but Liverpool's trip to West Ham United is hugely significant in the race for a top-four spot. Be sure to stick around for that one!

Here comes the two teams. There are plenty of nervous faces! Allardyce has stressed that his team need to get rid of the tension early on in this match. Will they be able to? We are about to find out!

Hull get us underway.

This is an absolute disaster for Hull City and Ranocchia. He completely misses his kick when attempting to clear the ball and Zaha is able to run through on goal and finish confidently past Jakupovic. Allardyce is delighted. Silva less so...

That opening goal takes Palace all the way up to 13th position. That's how tight it has been this season. It is still early days but Hull effectively need at least two goals to give themselves a chance of staying up.

As far as general play is concerned, Hull are having the better of this game. Clucas has seen a tame effort saved and Maguire has volleyed over. Good response from the Tigers but they need to get back on level terms.

CHANCE! This would probably have been game over, even at this early stage. An inswinging corner from the right found Tomkins at the back post but his header across goal just missed the far post.

This is developing into a decent contest. Hull are showing plenty of ambition going forward, with Maguire and Grosicki looking particularly dangerous, but so far, they are struggling to test Hennessey.

This was half a chance for Hull. A brilliant pass from Robertson found the run of Evandro but he couldn't pick out a teammate in the middle. A couple of corners came from the headed clearance, but no openings materialised with Benteke heading both deliveries away from danger.

The goalmouth action has dried up since I mentioned that this was developing into a decent contest. Hull are struggling to get Niasse into the game. Tomkins is doing an effective job on the Hull forward.

A quick burst of pace from Townsend puts Hull onto the defensive but he was that fast that Benteke was unable to get into the penalty area to meet what was an excellent ball into the middle.

SHOT! It was certainly worth a go but N'Diaye would be netting with the screamer of all screamers if this found the top corner from 30 yards. Instead, it cleared the crossbar.

We are through the half-hour mark at Selhurst Park and it is so far so good for Palace. Hull have probably been the better side, but they are not doing enough with their possession. The home side look comfortable at this stage.

Game over, surely. An inswinging corner from Townsend finds the run and head of Benteke and he can't miss from six yards. That is his 15th goal of the Premier League season. Hull need a miracle.

BOOKING! Cabaye goes into the book for a foul just to the right of the penalty area. He has also picked up a knock, but I think he will be fine. to continue.

From the resulting free kick, the delivery into the penalty area struck the hand of Puncheon and Hull should have a penalty. That's a potentially significant moment in this match.

BOOKINGS! Two yellow cards in the space of a minute. The first went to Hull's Andrew Robertson for a foul before Puncheon, ironically, was cautioned for handball in the centre of the pitch.

There will be three minutes of added-on time. Things have quietened down, but that probably suits Hull with the game being so close to half time.

The half-time whistle goes at Selhurst Park and Hull have just 45 minutes to save their top-flight status. Goals from Zaha and Benteke mean that the Tigers need to score at least three times after the break or they will be playing in the Championship next season. It's a long way back for Silva and his team...

We are back underway. Hull have made two changes, with Shaun Maloney and Jarrod Bowen replacing Ranocchia and Robertson.

SUBSTITUTION! Hull are going to be forced into a third and final change here. Maguire has twisted his ankle while attempting to make a tackle and he can't continue. Curtis Davies is being introduced.

CHANCE! Before that change was made, Townsend had an opportunity just outside the penalty area but he dragged his effort well wide.

You would expect that something will have to give over the next 15 minutes. Hull have no option but to go in search of a goal but that is only going to free up space for Palace at the other end. Zaha, Townsend and Benteke have all been excellent this afternoon.

SHOT! You can't blame Grosicki for shooting after getting past a defender but Hull had two on one if he had looked up. His own effort went high and wide of Hennessey's goal.

Hull are trying to get back into this, but Palace are sitting back and inviting the pressure because they know they are able to soak it up.

CHANCE! What a chance for Bowen! Clucas's cross from the left found the youngster at the back post but he miscued his half-volley, which only went back across goal.

SUBSTITUTION! Aallardyce choose to make his first alteration with James McArthur replacing Cabaye.

CHANCE! This would have been some goal to seal their survival. Zaha's raking pass found Benteke on the left and after he chested the ball down into his path, he volleyed wide of the near post.

There are just 20 minutes left now and still Hull are offering very little in the final third. Not having Markovic or Hernandez is showing now. You wouldn't back against them earning an immediate return to the top flight but they will be playing Championship football next season.

SUBSTITUTION! Townsend limps off to a standing ovation and Patrick van Aanholt is being introduced in his place. That alteration suits Allardyce at this stage of the match.

Palace paid £27m to sign Benteke in the summer and when all is said and done, it is that piece of business which is going to keep the Eagles in the Premier League. Hull have missed that goal input all season and it may have been a different story had they got a number nine into the club with more quality.

BOOKING! N'Diaye goes into the book for a cynical tug on a Palace player as he headed towards goal.

Dawson upends Schlupp as he is about to shoot from close range and it is a definite penalty. Dawson is booked before Milivojevic steps up to place the ball into the bottom corner. Palace are safe. Hull are down.

Hull are sinking without trace. McArthur slides the ball through to Van Aanholt who sends the ball under Jakupovic and into the net from 10 yards out.

The full-time whistle goes at Selhurst Park and Palace have coasted to a huge win in front of their own supporters, a result which sends Hull down to the Championship after just a year back in the top flight. Palace now sit in 13th place, which tells you everything about how close the Premier League has been this season.

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope that you can stick around for the other fixtures which are coming your way over the next few hours. Goodbye for now.