Overview
- Kick-off is 7:45pm local UK time at the Košická futbalová aréna, with free-to-air coverage on BBC Two Northern Ireland, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, plus radio and live text on BBC platforms.
- Northern Ireland are without first-choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles, midfielders Shea Charles and Ali McCann, and suspended Ethan Galbraith, while Conor Bradley returns from a ban.
- Slovakia welcome Napoli midfielder Stanislav Lobotka back from injury and are without suspended Ondrej Duda, reinforcing a side that has won both home qualifiers to date.
- Group A stands with Germany and Slovakia on nine points and Northern Ireland on six; a draw keeps Northern Ireland in contention for second and a win would put qualification in their own hands before hosting Luxembourg.
- Bookmakers make Slovakia slight favourites after a 2-0 home win over Germany earlier in qualifying, although Northern Ireland won the Belfast meeting 2-0 last month and retain a Nations League play-off fallback if they miss the top two.