David Cameron and Ed Miliband are preparing themselves for the first big media setpiece of the election campaign, as Sky and Channel 4 jointly present Cameron & Miliband Live: The Battle For Number 10.
The programme, which starts at 9pm tonight, is part traditional interview and part questioning by a studio audience.
After winning a coin toss, Mr Miliband has elected to appear after the Prime Minister.
Both men will face questions from Jeremy Paxman as well as responding to questions from members of the public, moderated by Kay Burley.
The event follows many months of tortuous negotiations.
The decision to stage it just before the campaign proper begins is welcome as far as Downing Street is concerned - the Prime Minister has made plain his unease with debates within the campaign period.
It also differs significantly from the initial proposal for a head-to-head debate between the two men - a format the Prime Minister effectively vetoed.
Nevertheless both leaders will be well aware of the need to be on their mettle.
Not only do the two presenters enjoy a well-deserved reputation for tenacity, any gaffes could be particularly costly.
The latest polls reinforce the fact that there is no room for error.
According to a Sky News projection for the House of Commons, the Conservatives would manage 278 seats, with Labour on 279.
Both parties would, in this scenario, remain well short of an overall majority.
Mr Miliband will also be under increased pressure to perform well after a lacklustre showing at the final Prime Minister's Questions of the parliament.
Labour MPs were gloomy after their leader was wrongfooted by Mr Cameron's promise not to raise VAT in the next parliament.
At least after one bad day at the office, Mr Miliband has the perfect opportunity to redeem himself.
You can watch Cameron & Miliband Live: The Battle For Number 10 on Sky News or Channel 4 from 9pm.
