Conor Bradley has impressed with cameos off the bench and he gets his big chance tonight as he starts in Sofia.

The 18-year-old has impressed not only Baraclough, but also Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, which is no mean feat and last month he became the first NI player to represent the Reds in 67 years.

We love to hype up young players in Northern Ireland, but there's a massive belief that the gangly youngster could be the next big thing.

Read exactly why here.

Image source, Press Eye

BBC Radio Ulster

As always, you can follow Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier live on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster.

Joel Taggart is our man in studio and is joined by the dynamic duo of Keith Gillespie and Jim Magilton. Prepare for plenty of jokes among the analysis!

Former Northern Ireland defender John O'Neill is alongside Michael McNamee on commentary.

Listen live from 19:30 BST!

While tonight's match at the Aviva Stadium is officially a 'friendly', it will feel and sound like something much more dramatic.

Up to 25,000 fans are expected in Dublin, so while we're not expecting the most scintillating on-field spectacle, at least there will be plenty of colour and noise on Lansdowne Road.

Image source, Getty Images

Speaking of substitutes, with Jamal Lewis suspended and no George Saville, things are looking a bit light on Northern Ireland's bench.

Of the 10 players named, their average caps are 16.3. Now, that's including Stuart Dallas and Niall McGinn, who both have more than 50 caps each.

Take the two of them out of it and it's a measly average of 4.9 caps among the remaining eight players.

Will NI miss the experience or enjoy the exuberance of youth? Only time will tell.

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI

Four changes for Northern Ireland tonight, but no doubting what the most interesting of them is.

Conor Bradley made his Liverpool debut last month and tonight he makes his first start for his country as he comes in to play on the right of a back five. This kid likes a tackle and it will be exciting to see how he handles the international stage as a starter.

Josh Magennis might have felt unlucky not to start against Switzerland but he has the change to prove Ian Baraclough wrong as he takes his place alongside Conor Washington up front in what is a return to Baraclough's favoured 5-3-2 formation.

The Northern Ireland bench is worth a mention. too. Stuart Dallas, Niall McGinn and Jordan Jones are on there, but there are a lot of young players who are inexperienced at this level.

After lacking a goal threat against the Swiss on Saturday, Ian Baraclough has named both Conor Washington and Josh Magennis up top this evening.

It's a big night for Conor Bradley, who will have big boots to fill as he makes his first start in place of Stuart Dallas as one of the two wide full-backs, with Shane Ferguson coming in for the suspended Jamal Lewis on the left flank.

Tom Flanagan replaces Ciaron Brown as one of the three central defenders, and there's no place in the squad for George Saville.

Right, who wants some team news from Sofia?

Speaking of Conor Washington, the GAWA will be hoping he can replicate this later tonight.

Northern Ireland striker Conor Washington says the team needs to more clinical in attack as they prepare to face Bulgaria in a World Cup qualifier.

Ian Baraclough's team have scored in just one of their five qualifiers - a 4-1 victory away to Lithuania.

"The way we've had to play in previous years has dictated how many chances we got as strikers," said Washington.

"But we create a lot more chances now and we need to put teams to the sword.

"It's up to us as a group of players to work on that and to create as many chances as possible. And be a a bit more ruthless when we get them."

Image source, Press Eye

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny makes five changes from Saturday's World Cup qualifier win in Azerbaijan.

As announced on Monday, Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher will make his first start as he replaces Gavin Bazunu.

The other changes see Enda Stevens taking over from James McClean at left wing-back with Jamie McGrath and Conor Hourihane replacing Daryl Horgan and Josh Cullen in midfield, plus the inclusion of Chiedozie Ogbene in attack for Adam Idah.

Ogbene scored the Republic's late final goal in the 3-0 Baku win.

Republic of Ireland: Kelleher, Omobamidele, Duffy, Egan, Doherty, Hourihane, Hendrick, McGrath, Stevens, Robinson, Ogbene.

Subs: Bazunu, Travers, Arter, Idah, Parrott, McClean, N Collins, Christie, Horgan, Knight, J Collins, Connolly

Image source, BBC Sport

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher will make his first start for the Republic of Ireland tonight after playing second-fiddle to the impressive Gavin Bazunu recently.

The 22-year-old Liverpool stopper played 10 times for Stephen Kenny for the Republic Under-21s and made his senior debut as a half-time substitute in June's friendly draw with Hungary.

"He deserves it," said Kenny.

"Caoimhin is a really natural goalkeeper. He's such a terrific talent."

Image source, Getty Images

To say Northern Ireland's goalless draw with Bulgaria in March was anticlimactic would be an understatement.

A draw will do neither side any good tonight - it's win or bust to keep their slim hopes alive.

Image source, Press Eye

Ian Baraclough believes Bulgaria will be desperate to bounce back in the World Cup qualifier after a shock defeat by Lithuania.

NI eased to a 4-1 win over Lithuania earlier in the campaign but the Group C basement side overcame the Bulgaria 3-1 on Saturday.

Third place is the realistic target for both Bulgaria and NI.

"They're coming into this game like a wounded animal so will be eager to a get a win," said Baraclough.

"Bulgaria are a young side and they are trying to evolve as a team. They picked up some really favourable results earlier in the group and they'll be wanting to get back on track," he added.

"It doesn't get much tougher than Germany and the Netherlands (in Euro 2020 qualifying) and then Italy and Switzerland now. They were the two seeds in pot two and it's always going to be a tough ask."

Image source, Press Eye

The Stadion Vasil Levski is a proper old-school eastern European amphitheatre with the stunning Vitosha mountain in the backdrop.

In saying that, give us Slieve Donard any day.

Image source, Getty Images

Ian Baraclough has always come across as a very pleasant and nice man, but it's safe to say he wasn't happy with the controversial Jamal Lewis red card against Switzerland on Saturday night.

Saturday was a quiet night in the library...not!

Another game against Switzerland, another controversial and game-changing decision.

Four years on from *that* handball in a World Cup play-off, Jamal Lewis was sent off for time wasting after 37 minutes and the Swiss went on to run out comfortable 2-0 winners.

It was a huge game, if Northern Ireland had won they would have been level on points with the hosts, but defeat leaves them with a huge challenge with three games remaining.

Image source, Press Eye

We've not one but two international matches to keep you entertained on this autumnal Tuesday night.

Tonight's main show is Northern Ireland's vital World Cup qualifier with Bulgaria. After the controversial defeat by Switzerland on Saturday, three points are simply a must if Ian Baraclough's side want to keep their slim hopes of second place in Group C alive.

Things should be more relaxed for Stephen Kenny and the Republic of Ireland as they host Qatar in a friendly in Dublin. Playing the hosts of the 2022 World Cup is as close as the Republic will get to the finals next winter with their hopes now over, but it's important Kenny's men keep up their momentum from Saturday's much-needed win in Azerbaijan.

It's all smiles so far, but let's see what lies ahead this evening.

Thanks for joining us.

Image source, Inpho