Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough says they "have to draw a line under" their Euro 2020 play-off defeat by Slovakia.
"We pointed out that the next
time we get together is a World Cup campaign so these two games immediately,
they mean something," he said.
"The next time we meet up we are straight into it. The World Cup draw is in
three weeks' time and the focus is towards Qatar in 2022 and that is how it's
got to me."
PACopyright: PA
Nations League permutations...
Austria v Northern Ireland (19:45 GMT)
Northern Ireland will avoid relegation if they can beat both Austria and Romania (on Wednesday at 19:45).
Norway's government have not allowed their national team to travel to Romania for Sunday's game. Their final match against Austria uncertain too.
That means Northern Ireland - who cannot be promoted - may have to wait to see what happens with that situation if they fail to pick up six points.
.Copyright: .
'A 3-5-2? A 4-4-2?'
Austria v Northern Ireland (19:45 GMT)
Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI
Stuart Dallas, who takes the captain’s armband from Steven
Davis, Paddy McNair and Conor Washington are the only three players retained.
Defender Daniel Ballard comes in for what will only be
his fourth cap after a debut against Romania in the Nations League opener.
In terms of shape, it could be a 3-5-2 with Ballard joined
at the back by Tom Flanagan and Michael Smith, and Washington joined in attack
by Liam Boyce.
The flexibility in the line-up means it could also be a
4-4-2 with Shane Ferguson and Conor McLaughlin the full-backs in a back four in
front of Michael McGovern, who starts in goal in place of Bailey
Peacock-Farrell.
It generally is a guessing game to see how NI will line out
but, either way, a good performance and positive result is vital as they aim to
avoid Nations League relegation and halt a run of poor results.
Team news
Austria v Northern Ireland (19:45 GMT)
Northern Ireland make eight changes from their play-off defeat by Slovakia - with a debut for St Johnstone midfielder Ali McCann, 20,
Liam Boyce,
Michael Smith, Michael McGovern, Shane Ferguson, Tom Flanagan, Daniel Ballard and Conor McLaughlin all come into the team.
Steven Davis, Jonny Evans and Craig
Cathcart are on the bench.
No Premier League players in Austria's team, although ex-West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic is on the bench after flying in from China yesterday.
Christopher Trimmel, who was their only injury doubt, misses out.
Live Reporting
Emlyn Begley
All times stated are UK
Post update
Post update
Austria v Northern Ireland (19:45 GMT)
Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough says they "have to draw a line under" their Euro 2020 play-off defeat by Slovakia.
"We pointed out that the next time we get together is a World Cup campaign so these two games immediately, they mean something," he said.
"The next time we meet up we are straight into it. The World Cup draw is in three weeks' time and the focus is towards Qatar in 2022 and that is how it's got to me."
Nations League permutations...
Austria v Northern Ireland (19:45 GMT)
Northern Ireland will avoid relegation if they can beat both Austria and Romania (on Wednesday at 19:45).
Norway's government have not allowed their national team to travel to Romania for Sunday's game. Their final match against Austria uncertain too.
That means Northern Ireland - who cannot be promoted - may have to wait to see what happens with that situation if they fail to pick up six points.
'A 3-5-2? A 4-4-2?'
Austria v Northern Ireland (19:45 GMT)
Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI
Stuart Dallas, who takes the captain’s armband from Steven Davis, Paddy McNair and Conor Washington are the only three players retained.
Defender Daniel Ballard comes in for what will only be his fourth cap after a debut against Romania in the Nations League opener.
In terms of shape, it could be a 3-5-2 with Ballard joined at the back by Tom Flanagan and Michael Smith, and Washington joined in attack by Liam Boyce.
The flexibility in the line-up means it could also be a 4-4-2 with Shane Ferguson and Conor McLaughlin the full-backs in a back four in front of Michael McGovern, who starts in goal in place of Bailey Peacock-Farrell.
It generally is a guessing game to see how NI will line out but, either way, a good performance and positive result is vital as they aim to avoid Nations League relegation and halt a run of poor results.
Team news
Austria v Northern Ireland (19:45 GMT)
Northern Ireland make eight changes from their play-off defeat by Slovakia - with a debut for St Johnstone midfielder Ali McCann, 20,
Liam Boyce, Michael Smith, Michael McGovern, Shane Ferguson, Tom Flanagan, Daniel Ballard and Conor McLaughlin all come into the team.
Steven Davis, Jonny Evans and Craig Cathcart are on the bench.
No Premier League players in Austria's team, although ex-West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic is on the bench after flying in from China yesterday.
Christopher Trimmel, who was their only injury doubt, misses out.
Austria: Pervan, Lainer, Dragovic, Hinteregger, Ulmer, Alaba, Ilsanker, Baumgartlinger, X Schlager, Sabitzer, Gregoritsch.
Northern Ireland: McGovern, C McLaughlin, Ballard, Flanagan, Ferguson, Dallas, McNair, McCann, Smith, Boyce, Washington.
Post update
Austria v Northern Ireland (19:45 GMT)
Three days on from Euro 2020 heartbreak, Northern Ireland must lift themselves off the canvas as they bid to avoid Nations League relegation.
Welcome to live text commentary of their match against Austria.