Overview
- Kick-off is 19:45 local/UK time at the Kosicka Futbalova Arena, with live coverage on BBC Two NI, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.
- Northern Ireland sit three points behind Germany and Slovakia, making a positive result essential to carry top-two ambitions into Monday’s finale against Luxembourg.
- Michael O’Neill’s side beat Slovakia 2-0 in Belfast last month before a 1-0 defeat to Germany, while Slovakia earlier shocked Germany 2-0 at home.
- Team news favors the hosts with Lobotka available, whereas Northern Ireland are missing Pierce Charles, Shea Charles and Ali McCann through injury and Ethan Galbraith through suspension, with Conor Bradley returning.
- Bookmakers rate Slovakia narrow favourites for the home fixture, though Northern Ireland retain a likely Nations League play-off route in March.