Three goals in five competitive games for Josh Magennis. He's been given a real opportunity to impress for Northern Ireland tonight. Will he get on the score sheet?

This will be the 10th meeting between Austria and Northern Ireland. The Green and White Army have won four of those previous nine clashes (D3, L2).

Austria’s two victories against Northern Ireland have arrived in home matches, winning 2-0 in October 1982 and 2-0 in October 2005.

Northern Ireland have won just two of their last nine matches in all competitions (D2 L5), though they did claim a victory in their most recent match against Israel (3-0).

Northern Ireland have failed to score in seven of their last nine away games, including in each of the last four in a row.

Stuart Elliott
Former Northern Ireland player on BBC Radio Ulster

If a lesser player did what Kyle Lafferty has done, he wouldn't be in the squad again. Phoning Michael O'Neill so late is unacceptable.

Image source, PA

The players are out of the tunnel but it's only a half-full stadium which greets them. Still plenty of Northern Ireland supporters who have made the trip though and they will be hoping to give their team a boost tonight.

Paddy McNair also says the team is targeting a four-point haul from these Nations League trips to Austria and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

"I don't think it would be the end of the world if we didn't get three points against Austria," said McNair.

"If we want to finish top of the group, then I think we need at least four points out of these two games."

"Austria have some very good players and it's going to be a test for us.

"Most teams you play now are very good sides so we know we're going to have to play well on the night to get three points."

Paddy McNair believes the Northern Ireland players are responding well to the new attacking approach they have been working on throughout the Nations League.

"We are having more of the ball," he said. "There are more passes and more shots. The boys are enjoying it.

"Nine times out of 10 when you play like that, you will win the game."

Image source, Getty Images

Jordan: GAWA!

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill speaking to Sky Sports on his team selection: "You pick the team when you have the players here. The team we have on the pitch is more than capable of getting the result we need tonight."

Striker Liam Boyce has scored just once in 14 games for Northern Ireland, while Austria’s Marko Arnautovic has been directly involved in six goals in his last seven games for his country (three goals, three assists).

Image source, Getty Images

Still not got your head around what the Nations League is?

Austria have won eight of their last 10 matches but are without injured Bayern Munich star David Alaba tonight.

Their main threat will likely come via West Ham forward Marko Arnautovic, who has been in good form for the Premier League side this season.

Franco Foda's side are ranked 24th in the latest Fifa rankings, four places above Northern Ireland.

The final games in the group will see Austria host Bosnia, while Northern Ireland host Austria in their second meeting on 18 November.

Bosnia are currently top of the group after following up their 2-1 victory over Michael O'Neill's team with a 1-0 win against Austria three days later.

Image source, Reuters

Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill says Kyle Lafferty's late withdrawal from the squad "certainly hasn't helped his international future".

He says he is unhappy at the 11th-hour nature of Lafferty's decision.

The Northern Ireland manager added that the Rangers striker had cited an Achilles injury as the reason for his withdrawal.

Rotherham United striker Kyle Vassell has been called up to the Northern Ireland squad for the first time and is on the bench tonight.

Manager Michael O'Neill added the 26-year-old after Jamie Ward dropped out to work on his fitness with club Charlton Athletic.

Winger Niall McGinn also hasn't travelled due to a hip injury.

The forward, who joined Rotherham from Blackpool in June, recently returned from a knee injury and came off the bench to set up a goal in their 3-1 Championship defeat by Birmingham on Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

Here's a reminder of what happened the last time England faced Croatia...

BBC Radio 5 live

You can follow live commentary of England's match with Croatia on BBC Radio 5 live, as well as updates online here.

Northern Ireland's match tonight can be listened to on BBC Radio Ulster, with highlights on BBC Two in NI from 23:05 BST.

England face a "strange experience" when they play their Nations League tie in Croatia behind closed doors tonight, says manager Gareth Southgate.

Croatia were punished after a swastika was marked on their pitch before a Euro 2016 home qualifier against Italy.

"It is a shame for the travelling fans and those who have not missed a game for decades," Southgate said.

England are aiming to avenge defeat by their hosts in the World Cup semi-final just 93 days ago.

The crowd will be officially registered as zero but there are likely to be about 500 people in the stadium, with about 150 media expected and a maximum of 75 people per team delegation, including the players.

Image source, Getty Images

Have you been encouraged by Northern Ireland's attempts to play more intensive football? Do you think they can get the upperhand on Austria this evening?

Let me know your thoughts using #bbcfootball on Twitter.