Overview
- Northern Ireland sit third in Group A, three points behind Germany and Slovakia, with Slovakia away on Friday and Luxembourg at home on Monday.
- Manager Michael O'Neill must navigate injuries for the Slovakia trip, with Ethan Galbraith absent and Brodie Spencer, Shea Charles and Ali McCann sidelined.
- Isaac Price credits O'Neill for giving him attacking freedom, with 10 goals in 26 caps including a hat-trick against Bulgaria in October 2024.
- Bailey Peacock-Farrell says this is the strongest squad in years and faces fierce competition for the No 1 shirt from Pierce Charles, Conor Hazard and Luke Southwood.
- October's 2-0 win over Slovakia in Belfast and a strong display against Germany underpin confidence that a positive result on Friday can set up a play-off push.