Northern Ireland play host to Norway on Monday evening having begun their UEFA Nations League campaign with a battling 1-1 draw in Romania.
As for Norway, they suffered a relatively-surprising 2-1 defeat at the hands of Austria, leaving them at the bottom of Group B1.
Match preview
© Reuters
After the first-half dismissal of Josh Magennis, the writing looked to be on the wall for Northern Ireland as they trailed Romania with over 50 minutes to play at a man disadvantage.
However, aided by an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, they managed to repel their hosts before Gavin Whyte's late equaliser.
While his side rode their luck at times, newly-appointed boss Ian Baraclough was understandably delighted with the unlikely point, a result which eases the pressure slightly ahead of welcoming Norway to Windsor Park.
Arguably sitting as the underdogs in the group, Baraclough will acknowledge that they face five more stiff tests as they bid to avoid relegation to Group C, rather than there being a genuine belief in finishing ahead of their three rivals.
Nevertheless, the 49-year-old will still demand more from his team, hoping that they can take advantage of Norway being dealt a blow against Austria on Friday.
With Erling Braut Haaland being drafted into the starting lineup, Lars Lagerback would have been confident that his side had enough to see off their main group rivals on familiar territory.
However, goals either side of half time proved decisive, leaving Haaland's first strike in the senior ranks acting as no more than a consolation.
Despite five matches still remaining, Lagerback is aware that his team can ill-afford another defeat if they want to be competing against the stronger teams during the next campaign.
Facing opposition who are not renown for their goalscoring exploits, that may encourage the inclusion of Alexander Sorloth at a time when he is being linked with a move to a top European club.
Northern Ireland Nations League form: D
Northern Ireland form (all competitions): LLWDLD
Norway Nations League form: L
Norway form (all competitions): DDDWWL
Team News
© Reuters
Northern Ireland will be forced into at least one alteration with Magennis serving a one-match suspension.
With Conor Washington not making an impact on his own in attack, Whyte and Kyle Lafferty could get the nod in the final third.
Sorloth is likely to come into the Norway side, either as a replacement for Joshua King or as part of a front three.
Martin Linnes and Markus Henriksen are also pushing to earn roles in the starting XI.
Northern Ireland possible starting lineup:
Peacock-Farrell; Dallas, Ballard, Cathcart, Lewis; Whyte, Evans, Davis, Saville; McNair; Lafferty
Norway possible starting lineup:
Jarstein; Elabdellaoui, Reginiussen, Ajer, Aleesami; Thorsby, Berge, Normann, Johansen; Sorloth, Haaland
We say: Northern Ireland 1-3 Norway
Having been put on the defensive with regards to qualification, expect Norway to throw caution to the wind on Monday night. With that in mind, we feel that their talented attack will have too much firepower for the home side's backline.
