Overview
- Kick-off is 7:45pm UK time with live coverage on BBC Two in Northern Ireland, BBC iPlayer and Virgin Media Two in the Republic of Ireland.
- Michael O’Neill’s side sit third, three points off Germany and Slovakia, with a positive result keeping them on track for at least a play-off route.
- Slovakia need a top-two finish for automatic qualification, with Germany’s simultaneous trip to Luxembourg influencing the group picture.
- Team news notes Stanislav Lobotka’s availability for Slovakia, while Ondrej Duda is suspended and Northern Ireland lose Pierce Charles, Shea Charles, Ali McCann and Ethan Galbraith, though Conor Bradley returns.
- Slovakia are unbeaten in competitive home games since September 2023, whereas Northern Ireland won the reverse fixture 2-0 in Belfast last month.