Fresh off a Super Tuesday that reordered the Republican field of presidential hopefuls, the remaining four candidates will gather in Detroit Thursday at 9 p.m. ET for a debate that could prove to be the most consequential of the 2016 race.

With Donald J. Trump on the verge of running away with the Republican nomination, there will be no shortage of drama. As he continues to win primary contests, the pressure on Mr. Trump has been rising, and if the most recent debate was any guide, Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz will be attacking him from all angles in an effort to show that he lacks the knowledge and temperament to be president.

Since their last meeting, Mr. Trump has mocked Mr. Rubio for sweating and repeatedly called him a "lightweight." Mr. Rubio has poked fun at Mr. Trump as having small hands and using spray tan that is overly orange. Few pleasantries are expected when they meet on stage.

Adding to the intrigue, it will be the first time this year that Mr. Trump will face Megyn Kelly, the Fox News anchor with whom he feuded last year. Mr. Trump erupted in anger after the first Fox News debate, when Ms. Kelly questioned his history of making sexist statements. He then spent days savaging her on social media and suggested that her tough line of questioning was a result of a hormonal imbalance.

Mr. Trump skipped the last debate hosted by Fox before the Iowa caucuses in January, but he has agreed to participate on Thursday. He will also have more time in the spotlight, since Ben Carson announced on Wednesday afternoon that he would not be attending. Mr. Carson, the retired neurosurgeon, said he saw no path forward for his campaign after a string of poor showings in the Super Tuesday contests.