This was a couple of hours ago. It has been raining solidly since...

BBC Radio 5 live

You don't have to read my words on this game, you can also tune in to BBC Radio 5 live and listen to someone describing the action. 5 live sport has been on since 12:00 GMT and they'll be going over to Colin Murray and Keith Gillespie in Basel ahead of kick-off.

"Stop hogging the ball."

"The Swiss will go to pieces."

These Northern Ireland fans have been giving their verdict on this game - and they are seriously pumped for it.

Karen Fazackerley
BBC Sport Northern Ireland

Image source, BBC Sport

There's a whole lot of Belfast in the one Irish pub in Basel which just so happens to be a stone's throw away from the stadium.

Fans are slowly meandering to the ground now AND just when you thought they were forgotten... vuvuzelas are well and truly back!

Image source, EPA

The uncomfortable truth for Michael O'Neill's side is that the controversy of the decision against Corry Evans in Belfast somewhat overshadowed the fact that they were second best against Switzerland.

The Swiss had 16 shots to Northern Ireland's five, 64% of possession and will be disappointed that they could not take more than just the one goal back to Basel.

If Northern Ireland are to reach a first World Cup finals since 1986 they will need to be better. Much better.

As expected George Saville starts in place of the suspended Corry Evans in midfield for Northern Ireland. He is one of four changes, with Conor Washington and Jamie Ward replacing Josh Magennis and Kyle Lafferty in attack. Aaron Hughes is back in defence, replacing Conor McLaughlin.

Stuart Dallas is fit to start on the left despite limping off in the first leg following a couple of heavy challenges.

Straightforward news from the Switzerland camp - they are unchanged from the first leg.

Switzerland XI: Sommer, Akanji, Schar, Rodriguez, Lichtsteiner, Zakaria, Xhaka, Shaqiri, Zuber, Dzemaili, Seferovic.

Northern Ireland XI: McGovern, Hughes, Evans, McAuley, Brunt, Davis, Saville, Norwood, Dallas, Ward, Washington.

Karen Fazackerley
BBC Sport Northern Ireland

It was an early start for Northern Ireland fans, many making the trip via Amsterdam this morning. They were in very fine voice - the sights and sounds of the Northern Irish actually following you through Schiphol. A group of Dutch tourists bound for Canada clearly had no idea what was going on, at one point joining in the singing wearing Northern Ireland scarves. It was a scene to behold. Clearly everyone is welcome in the GAWA.

One fan who spoke to me (who wanted to remain nameless for reasons that will become apparent... let's call him Mike) changed the date of his little boy's christening at the last minute when he heard he'd managed to sort a ticket. As you'd expect it hasn't gone down well with his other half. "She was on about jokingly kicking me out. God knows what she'll do when I cancel next year's holiday IF we reach the World Cup."

5 live's Colin Murray was the target for many as he waited for his flight too - trying to drink his morning coffee in between pats on the back from fans for his midweek referee rant.

We left Belfast early this morning in the rain and Basel has welcomed us with rain too. Hopefully it won't put too much of a dampener on proceedings later.

I'm not going to lie to you, it is a bit damp in Basel...

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

It is what experts call 'a bit of a leveller'.

Don't you worry, though, because these guys are on it...

Image source, PA

"It’s been raining for 24 hours," said John Southall, who is at the game for BBC Radio 5 live. "We’ve had thunder, lightning, hail and now we’ve got dozens of people desperately forking the pitch to get rid of the standing water. The rain has eased so we should be OK but you wouldn’t want a big downpour before kick off."

John and the team will bring you commentary on 5 live from 17:00 GMT.

Image source, Getty Images

There are a few hurdles for Northern Ireland to clear this afternoon.

The first is to forget all about THAT "handball".