Well played Chris Baird. Slovakia come forward down the left but the cross into the box is calmly headed back to his own keeper by the Derby midfielder.

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Bazza: Not sure about 'doing a Leicester' but if anyone thinks NI are turning up as cannon fodder in Group C they're in for a shock!

Paddy McNair is a bit unlucky as the ref blows for a free-kick as the Manchester United player clashes with a home player, who drops to the turf. Not sure there was much contact, though. It prevents McNair a potentially dangerous run in to the Slovakia box.

Slovakia start on the front foot but Shane Ferguson and Jonny Evans combine well to prevent a cross coming in from the left and win a goal-kick.

Gerry Armstrong
Former Northern Ireland International

"Slovakia are a good side. Hamsik will control the midfield if we can keep huim quiet that might stop the ball going out to the wide players. 

"It is always a difficult game here. I think Michael O'Neill will be very happy to come away with a result."

And we are under way...

Looks like a 3-5-2 again for Michael O'Neill.

Image source, BBC Sport

Here come the teams in Trnava. Kick-off is just round the corner.

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Hughes could be entering an exclusive club tonight. Here is the complete list of players from the home nations who have reached 100 caps...

Northern Ireland - Pat Jennings 119

Republic of Ireland - Robbie Keane 143*, Shay Given 133*, Kevin Kilbane 110, John O'Shea 109*, Steve Staunton 102, Damian Duff 101

England - Peter Shilton 125, David Beckham 115, Steven Gerrard 114, Wayne Rooney 111*, Bobby Moore 108, Ashley Cole 107, Bobby Charlton 106, Frank Lampard 106, Billy Wright 105

Scotland - Kenny Dalglish 102

*Still playing

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Aaron Hughes made his Northern Ireland debut against Slovakia in 1998, so there is a neatness about him potentially making his 100th appearance against the same opponent tonight.

If he comes on tonight, the 36-year-old defender will become only the second NI player to hit the century mark along with legendary goalkeeper Pat Jennings.  

"It's something no-one can ever take away," Hughes said.  

"At one point I never thought I would do it [100 caps] but Michael came back in and he said a few things that really resonated with me.

"He made me really think about it and I thought 'you know what, that would be quite something'."

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Northern Ireland last played Slovakia during the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, losing both games; 2-1 away and 2-0 at home.

The Slovaks booked their place at the Euros after finishing runners up to Spain in their qualifying group. They also beat the reigning European champions during qualifying, securing a 2-1 home victory in Zilina in October 2014 to end Spain’s eight-year, 31-match unbeaten run in the competition.

You're also likely to be familiar with names such as Martin Skrtel, Vladimir Weiss and Marek Hamsik. 

In short, they're no mugs.

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The reasons for this friendly against Slovakia for Northern Ireland go beyond mere fine tuning of their own side. The Slovaks will offer a similar challenge to that which will be offered by opening-game opponents Poland.

They are ranked 24th to Poland's 27th in the Fifa rankings and play in a similar style. 

Michael O'Neill has had this to say: “I wanted one game at home and one game away before going to France. This game is eight days before our opening game in France and I feel that is ideal.

“It will also allow us to have a training camp in central Europe before we head off to France.” 

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You've heard what the Match of the Day pundits think, but what do you reckon? How will Northern Ireland perform at Euro 2016? Anyone brave enough to predict they'll do a Leicester and pull a shock triumph out of the bag?

You can contact us through the usual channels. On Twitter the hashtag is #bbcfootball. On text, use 81111 (UK only).

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So what are Northern Ireland's chances of success at Euro 2016? We asked the Match of the Day pundits for their view. You can watch what they had to say here.

You would assume that the majority of Michael O'Neill's starting lineup for the Poland game is already locked down - depending on whether he opts for a 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 formation (or 4-4-2, which is what many have suggested).

But there are a few spots with question marks hanging over them. Top of the list is the left side of defence after Chris Brunt was ruled out through a serious knee injury. 

O'Neill may also want to see who could operate alongside Kyle Lafferty in attack if he opts to move away from a lone front-man. Nottingham Forest's Jamie Ward has got the nod tonight.

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Lyle Jackson
BBC Sport NI

"Leeds midfielder Stuart Dallas is not available because he got married in County Monaghan yesterday. That gives Man Utd’s Paddy McNair another chance to impress – he starred in the last friendly against Belarus, which Northern Ireland won 3-0.

"The rest looks like it could be the 11 to start against Poland."

On Sunday 12 June, Michael O'Neill's men will make their European Championship debut when they take on Poland. Tonight, they have one last opportunity to fine tune for that encounter in Nice with a match against one of England's Euro group opponents Slovakia.

So, if any of the 23 fancied making a late dart for a starting spot, this is their chance.

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Three decades on, a new set of heroes are set to provide a whole new set of memories for many and an entirely fresh experience for a generation yet to see their nation play on the big stage...

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30 years since their exit from World Cup '86 following a loss to Brazil...

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