Northern Ireland's place in the World Cup play-off round can be confirmed on Sunday evening when they take on Norway in Oslo.
Michael O'Neill's side suffered a 3-1 defeat against Germany in their last match, but they are guaranteed to finish second in Group C. However, their place in the play-offs, while likely, is still dependent on the final series of results.
Norway, on the other hand, are playing for pride given that they have no chance of making next year's tournament in Russia. Victory for Lars Lagerback's men could potentially see them finish in third place.
| Game | Norway vs Northern Ireland |
| Date | Sunday, October 8 |
| Time | 19:45 BST / 14:45 ET |
TV CHANNEL & LIVE STREAM
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In the UK, the game will be available to watch live on television on Sky Sports Football, as well as being available to stream live using Sky Go.
| UK TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| Sky Sports Football | Sky Go |
In the US, the game will be broadcast live on television on ESPN as well as the Spanish language channel ESPN Deportes. It will also be available to stream live online using WatchESPN.
| US TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| ESPN / ESPN Deportes | WatchESPN |
SQUADS & TEAM NEWS
| Position | Norway players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Jarstein, Nyland, Grytebust |
| Defenders | Meling, Skjelvik, Reginiussen, Valsvik, Nordtveit, Rosted, Elabdellaoui, Svensson |
| Midfielders | Johansen, M. Elyounoussi, Berge, Linnes, Selnaes, Henriksen, Berget |
| Forwards | Soderlund, T. Elyounoussi, Sorloth, Johnsen |
Norway will be without the services of star striker Josh King, who suffered a hamstring injury in his side's 8-0 win over San Marino last week. King has been replaced by ADO Den Haag forward Bjorn Maars Johnsen, who previously played for Hearts.
Potential starting XI: Jarstein; Meling, Valsvik, Nordtveit, Svensson; Linnes, Henriksen, Berge, M. Elyounoussi; Sorloth, Soderlund.
| Position | Northern Ireland players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Carroll, Mannus, McGovern |
| Defenders | Hughes, McAuley, J. Evans, Brunt, McLaughlin, Hodson, D. Lafferty, Thompson, Flanagan |
| Midfielders | Davis, McGinn, Norwood, C. Evans, Ferguson, Dallas, Paton, Lund, Saville, Jones |
| Forwards | K. Lafferty, Magennis, Washington, McCartan |
Despite the fact that the likes of Jonny Evans, Steven Davis and Josh Magennis are carrying yellow cards - and thus in danger of being suspended for the play-offs should Northern Ireland make it - O'Neill has stressed that he will send out the strongest possible XI. All players came through the clash against Germany unscathed so O'Neill has a full panel to choose from.
Potential starting XI: McGovern; Brunt, McAuley, J. Evans, McLaughlin, Hodson; Davis, Norwood, C. Evans; Magennis, Lafferty.
BETTING & MATCH ODDS
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Despite the fact that they sit nine points behind Northern Ireland in qualifying, Norway are considered 7/5 favourites to win according to dabblebet. Northern Ireland are priced at 11/5 and a draw is available at 21/10.
Click here to see all the markets available for the game between Norway and Northern Ireland.
GAME PREVIEW
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Northern Ireland have not been at a World Cup since 1986, but they could take a step closer to ending that three-decade-long wilderness with a win over Norway on Sunday.
Manager O'Neill has gradually built upon the foundations laid en route to Euro 2016 and he has managed to inspire his squad to play above themselves in the last two campaigns.
The Green and White Army have only lost twice in the current cycle - both defeats coming at the hands of world champions Germany - and, having won six games, they currently occupy a formidable position in terms of second-place ranking ahead of the play-offs.
A draw in Oslo would probably be enough to secure Northern Ireland's place in the next round, but O'Neill is not permitting his players to take their eyes off the prize and he will be keen to see a repeat of the display that saw them beat Norway 2-0 in March.
