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Bulgaria are in transition, under new management with coach Yasen Petrov the third man to take charge since Petar Hubchev left in 2019.

The changes extend to the playing squad, with Petrov having called up 10 uncapped players when he announced his squad earlier this month.

Five of them made their debuts in defeats against Switzerland and Italy last week.

Petrov favoured a 3-5-2 formation last week, but is yet to truly make his mark on the side, having been thrown in at the deep end with the toughest opponents up first in Group C.

"I don't want to sound like we are looking for an excuse but we are trying to make a brand new team," said the former Levski Sofia boss.

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Northern Ireland defender Shane Ferguson says a win over Bulgaria would provide momentum for the rest of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

An opening defeat by Italy has left NI six points adrift of the top two and making the Belfast game crucial for their hopes of reaching the finals.

"We want to get the win and carry that momentum through to the games in September," said Millwall's Ferguson, who starts on the bench.

"We want that good team spirit - the mood in the camp is positive."

Stephen Craigan
Former Northern Ireland defender on Radio Ulster Sportsound

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This is a huge game. For the team and the group and for the manager as well.

I'm not saying he's going to be under pressure after the game or there's going to be anything catastrophic, but as a manager when you come in you want to win games of football, you want to progress things forward.

We need to find a way to win, simple as.

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

Daniel Ballard’s stature as an international player has been growing under Ian Baraclough and tonight he starts a World Cup qualifier for the first time.

The Arsenal youngster, on loan at Blackpool, makes up a back three with Jonny Evans and Craig Cathcart as the Northern Ireland boss continues with the 3-5-2 formation he has favoured of late.

Ballard replaces Michael Smith as one of three changes from the NI side that lost 2-0 in Italy last week. His inclusion will allow Paddy McNair to move from defence into a midfield three anchored as ever by record-breaking captain Steven Davis, with George Saville coming in for Ali McCann on the left.

The other change sees fit-again Jamal Lewis starting at left-wing back, with Corry Evans dropping to the bench and the ever-versatile Stuart Dallas switching flanks to play right wing-back.

Hull City pair Josh Magennis and Gavin Whyte will once again form a front-two partnership for Northern Ireland.

Are they going to name a stand after Steven Davis at Windsor Park? He certainly deserves it for his dedication and service.

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Imagine the reception for Steven Davis if there was a crowd inside Windsor Park.

The 36-year-old will lead out Northern Ireland and earn his 126th cap, pulling ahead of Peter Shilton for the British appearance record.

Such was his performance against Italy last week that Ian Baraclough called on pundits to "stop trying to retire" the Rangers midfielder, who looks like he can keep going for some time to come.

A terrific achievement.

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To get the three points they need, Northern Ireland will need to earn their first win inside 90 minutes under Ian Baraclough.

Appointed in June 2020, the former Motherwell boss has only had a penalty shoot-out win against Bosnia-Herzegovina to celebrate in his 10 games in charge to date.

The long wait for a victory has become an increasing talking point in this international window.

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Compliments count for nothing in qualifying so last week's improved second-half showing in Italy meant little as Northern Ireland returned empty-handed following a 2-0 defeat.

The pressure is on to get a result against Bulgaria, who arrive in Belfast after back-to-back home defeats to Switzerland and Italy.

Tonight's match has been billed as a 'must-win' game as the hosts try to avoid digging themselves a hole in Group C.

Steven Davis earns his British record-breaking 126th Northern Ireland cap as manager Ian Baraclough recalls his senior players.

After making 10 changes for Sunday's friendly defeat to the United States, there's a more familiar look to the side as Jonny Evans, Craig Cathcart and Stuart Dallas return.

Niall McGinn, scorer of a fine goal against the Americans, has to make do with a place on the bench as Josh Magennis and Gavin Whyte start in attack.

Jamal Lewis, who missed last week's qualifying loss to Italy with a groin injury, comes in at left wing-back as Dallas moves to the right-hand side.

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.

It's a huge night in Belfast and we're less than an hour from kick-off so let's not waste any time.

Straight to the team news and what an achievement by the captain.

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Northern Ireland's World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign is 90 minutes old but the pressure is already mounting.

Ian Baraclough's side trail Group C pacesetters Italy and Switzerland by six points.

But could there be light at the end of the tunnel?

Bulgaria are in town and they've been pretty hopeless lately.