Northern Ireland haven't got going. A promising move involving Gavin Whyte breaks down after another mis-placed pass.

After a stoppage of about two minutes, play is back under way but it's a scrappy affair so far. Plenty of nerves on display on both sides.

Play has been stopped after a clash of heads involving Paddy McNair and Antonio Vutov. That allows Ian Barraclough to dish out some instructions to his players while both players receive treatment.

A throw-in by Stuart Dallas deep inside Bulgaria's half is cleverly flicked on into the path of Josh Magennis but it comes to him at speed and the forward's close range header is straight at the keeper.

Encouraging signs for Northern Ireland.

No doubt about it. Northern Ireland are bossing possession but Bulgaria are well organised in these opening stages.

Just the one shot for the hosts so far.

George Saville attempts to set up a chance for Jamal Lewis before Steve Davis fires wide.

By the way, Bulgaria have had an early penalty appeal turned down after claiming Jonny Evans handled the ball.

The referee from Israel was not interested.

Northern Ireland have started with real intent. Bulgaria's back three are being kept busy as Gavin Whyte and Gavin Whyte look to make an early impact.

A quick start from the hosts. Northern Ireland get the game under way and Danny Ballard tries to ping it forward but it's intercepted before the hosts win a free-kick inside Bulgaria's half.

A huge 90 minutes for Northern Ireland.

We're under way.

Passionate stuff from Bulgaria's players as they belt out their national anthem. We're almost ready to go. What are your predictions, folks?

Northern Ireland XI: Peacock-Farrell, Ballard, J Evans, Cathcart, Lewis, Dallas, Davis, McNair, Saville, Magennis, Whyte.

Substitutes: C Evans, McGinn, Thompson, Hughes, Smith, Ferguson, Hazard, McLaughlin, Lafferty, McCann, Kennedy, Charles.

Bulgaria XI: Naumov, A Hristov, Antov, Chochev, P Hristov, Despodov, Kostadinov, Vutov, Tsvetanov, Yomov, Galabinov.

Substitutes: A Iliev, Vitanov, Dimov, P Iliev, Malinov, I Iliev, Zanev, Bozhikov, Karadzhov, Karagaren, Delev, D Iliev.

Here comes Steven Davis leading Northern Ireland out on a landmark night for the skipper. Will he mark it with a win?

Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis: "It's really important we get the win - there's a lot of positives to take from some of the games but of course when you're not winning you are disappointed.

"We just need to put in a performance and get the three points. If we are going to have ambitions to try to achieve something in terms of the group these are the games you have to target for three points.

"We have to be ruthless in both boxes - if we can do that then we've got a good chance of getting the win. With a big break between now and the next qualifiers in September it's really important we do that."

Gareth McAuley
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

The players know themselves that they need a big performance. It's quite a difficult game and Bulgaria's style of play will suit playing British opposition. It's going to be tough and a hard game, so they need to be aggressive and front foot from the start.

Stephen Craigan
Former Northern Ireland defender on Radio Ulster Sportsound

Image source, Rex Features

You can talk about tactics, you can talk about shape and you can talk about set-plays, we have to find a way to win a game of football.

The players have to take that responsibility on board.

We can't come into it saying 'we played well for 30 minutes, or we missed a couple of chances and we made a mistake but we're learning and progressing'.

Image source, PA Media

Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough on his side's high-stakes qualifier: "Bulgaria will come here feeling they need to get something from the game.

"There will be a lot of twists and turns and some dramas. We're trying to limit those dramas in our team and make sure we create chances and take those chances.

"We think we're good enough, we have good enough individuals and as a collective we're a very strong group.

"When we put all that together we can test the best. We showed that for long periods against Italy. I trust the players."

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

Image source, Rex Features

Former Northern Ireland striker Warren Feeney, currently managing in Bulgaria, said that Ian Baraclough's men need a 'typically Northern Ireland' performance to get a win tonight.

By that he meant they need to get on the front foot, take the game to the visitors and be in their faces. It's exactly what Baraclough's men didn't do in the first half in Italy last week - though admittedly against much stronger opposition.

However, the NI manager and supporters were heartened by the response the side showed in the second half in Parma, when they forced their superior hosts on to the back foot and created chances.

Can they do that from the start tonight? Bulgaria's confidence is low and a fast start from the hosts could be the last thing they need.

It's a huge, huge match this one. For both sides. Kick-off can't come quickly enough.

Image source, Getty Images

When trying to find the cause of Northern Ireland's winless run, there is only one place to start.

They are yet to score more than once in a single game since Ian Baraclough took over.

Creating chances has not been a problem. Against Italy last week they had eight attempts - three on target.

But too few chances are finding the net, with Niall McGinn's superb goal in the 2-1 friendly defeat to the United States on Sunday only the seventh of Baraclough's reign.

Stephen Craigan
Former Northern Ireland defender on Radio Ulster Sportsound

Image source, Rex Features

It doesn't matter how you win it, it doesn't have to be pleasing or pretty on the eye. We simply need to win.

I'm looking for the experienced players like Jonny Evans, Craig Cathcart, Steven Davis and Stuart Dallas, the experienced leaders in the group have got to get that message across to the players.