We are under way in the deadest of rubbers.

The players are out and it's time for the national anthems.

As Mark gets drenched in Belfast, I'm on my sofa in my warm house debating whether to get a snack from the fridge.

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

OK, it will be far from the most important thing I write tonight.

But, we are getting pretty soaked in the press box at Windsor Park.

It's a wet and windy night in Belfast and, somehow, the rain is making its way through the open-air concourse at the back of the South Stand.

Perspective, though perspective. We know we're lucky to be here.

Northern Ireland's Jamal Lewis has said it is vital that football continues to make progress with its fight against racism within the sport.

The Newcastle United full-back stressed the importance of people at all levels in football feeling comfortable enough to enjoy the game.

Lewis was speaking as the Irish FA celebrates 20 years of its 'Football for All' campaign.

"Progression is the key word in this," the 22-year-old told BBC Sport NI.

"There has been a lot of exposure of negative things in the last few years, but there has also been a lot of positive change within the game.

"We have seen an increased mental shift towards bringing everyone together to enjoy the game and that is what it is all about. Lots of people love football so to bring everyone together and make sure they are comfortable in their environment is key.

"Obviously, there is still a lot more to do, but as long as we are keeping the progression going that is all that matters."

Image source, .

There is live radio commentary on BBC Radio Ulster (available on this page) and then TV highlights on BBC1 NI at 22:45 GMT.

Romania head coach Mirel Radoi says today's game "will be like a final for us".

"In my opinion, we lost two points at home in an undeserved result," he said of September's 1-1 draw. "For us it has to be revenge."

Image source, Getty Images

Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough spoke to Sky Sports about how Uefa's decision and their relegation changes things.

"[We found out] just before the team meeting before we left the hotel. Nothing changes is how we attack the game.

"We want to finish the Nations League on a high. If there's any kind of appeal from Norway we could put ourselves in a good position."

"We're building towards the World Cup qualifiers."

On debutant Matty Kennedy: "He's been bright for Aberdeen - he plays either side, with both feet."

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

The Euro dream crushed here last week and Nations League relegation confirmed before a ball is kicked tonight.

If ever a team needed a lift, it is Northern Ireland against Romania at Windsor Park in their final Nations League match, and the team's last outing of what has been a dismal 2020.

Under normal circumstances, the home side would walk out to 18,500 supporters who would - almost literally - try and bounce them into a big performance. But with just over 1,000 fans allowed into the south Belfast venue, the responsibility rests with the players. Manager Ian Baraclough will no doubt have rammed home the message.

Essentially nothing at stake in terms of meaningful points, but the manager and the players - not to mention the fans - could really do with a win to lift morale.

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Northern Ireland were unfortunately to lose last time out against Austria in Vienna.

Josh Magennis gave them the lead before two late Austrian ones, one of which was offside.

This is what BBC NI learned from that game.

P9 W0 D1 L8

That is Northern Ireland's record in the two Nations League campaigns to date.

Today's opponents Romania are the only team to fail to beat NI yet - with a late Gavin Whyte goal rescuing a point in September.

Former NI midfielder Chris Brunt says they must find ways to score despite the absence of a regular goalscorer in their squad.

"That's always been a difficult one for us as a country, as far as I can remember you can only really look at David Healy that's been a regular goalscorer," Brunt told Sportsound Extra Time.

"Obviously Kyle Lafferty had that spell in the qualifying for Euro 2016 when everything he hit went into the net.

"You've got to find other ways of winning the game. Everybody keeps going back to when Michael (O'Neill) was manager but we were pretty effective from set plays and we managed to get quite a lot of goals from stuff like that."

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Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough does not expedct any of his players to retire from international football.

The international future of senior players such as captain Steven Davis, 35, and Jonny Evans, 31, has been debated in the media since last week's Euro 2020 play-off defeat by Slovakia.

"Not at all, no," he said when asked if he expects any retirements.

"Certainly, everyone that I have spoken to who have been part of the group for the last six, seven, eight years have still got that hunger and desire to be a part of this.

"The conversations I have had within the group have been about what is next on the horizon for us. We are very quickly into a World Cup campaign which is only nine months long. It is normally a year and a half spread over two seasons.

"It will all be done and dusted by this time next year, when we will know if we are in a World Cup or not. There is a massive hunger from individuals and as a group to go together again."

Captain Steven Davis and striker Kyle Lafferty pulled out of the match for personal reasons, while Niall McGinn and Jordan Thompson are still injured.

George Saville had already left the squad for personal reasons before Sunday's match in Vienna against Austria, which saw Northern Ireland lose 2-1 after conceding two late goals.

Ian Baraclough then drafted in Matty Kennedy.

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

Ian Baraclough will be desperate to deliver Northern Ireland's first Nations League victory tonight - and he has picked an experienced line-up to try and get it.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell returns in goal behind a 3-5-2 formation with captain-for-the-night Jonny Evans and Craig Cathcart joining Daniel Ballard in an interesting back three combination.

Matty Kennedy makes his debut at right wing-back, meaning the versatile Stuart Dallas switches flanks, and Michael Smith retains the holding midfield role he performed effectively in Vienna, flanked again by Paddy McNair and Ali McCann.

It means Northern Ireland have two up top again, with Josh Magennis, fresh from his goal against Austria, coming in for Conor Washington to partner Liam Boyce.

Manchester United's exciting young midfielder Ethan Galbraith must hope for his second cap from the bench.

Northern Ireland make five changes from the side who lost 2-1 to Austria.

Aberdeen winger Matty Kennedy, a former Scotland Under-21 international, makes his first Northern Ireland appearance at any level.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell is back in goal, while Jonny Evans and Craig Cathcart return at the back. Josh Magennis gets a nod up front after scoring in Vienna.

Norther Ireland: Peacock-Farrell, Ballard, Evans, Cathcart, Kennedy, Dallas, McNair, Smith, McCann, Boyce, Magennis

Romania: Tatarusanu, Tosca, Cristea, Nedelcearu, Cretu, Nistor, Marin, Camora, Man, Alibec, F Tanase

Northern Ireland have been relegated from Nations League B after Uefa awarded Romania a 3-0 victory for their cancelled match against Norway.

Uefa made the ruling a couple of hours ago after Sunday's meeting between the sides was called off because of a positive Covid-19 test in the Norway camp.

It leaves Northern Ireland six points adrift of Romania - and this is the final game in the group.

That means they will be in the third (out of four) tiers next time around.

Hello.

I had been preparing this live text as a potentially crucial game for Northern Ireland.

But now it's a dead rubber.