John O'Neill
Former Northern Ireland defender on BBC Radio Ulster

We're under way at a sun-kissed Windsor Park after a minute's silence in memory of Queen Elizabeth II.

Northern Ireland were edged out 3-2 by Kosovo on their Nations League encounter in Prishtina in June.

Striker Vedat Muriqi scored an early penalty for the hosts with Zymer Bytyqi doubling the lead moments later.

Shayne Lavery headed home for Northern Ireland on the stroke of half-time before Muriqi grabbed his second soon after the break.

A header seven minutes from time by Daniel Ballard produced a late flurry from the visitors, with Conor McMenamin failing to connect with a great chance to snatch an equaliser.

Image source, Press Eye

Tommy Wright
Former Northern Ireland goalkeeper on Radio Ulster

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

I said about Ian Baraclough demanding full focus ahead of the game, but the news walking into the stadium about Conor McMenamin has brought up more questions and will no doubt be another talking point regardless of what happens on the pitch today.

With the news coming so close to kick-off, will it impact the players?

Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough says "there is so much at stake" in the penultimate Nations League match with Kosovo.

Defeat would leave NI on the brink of a relegation play-off.

"That situation gives the Kosovo match the feel of a World Cup game or a Euros game," said Baraclough.

"There is so much at stake. No one is taking this lightly because there is so much to play for in terms of avoiding relegation and the pot. I like that feeling."

Read match preview here

Liverpool teenager Conor Bradley has had a whirlwind experience on the international stage thus far and has won eight caps since making his debut as a 17-year-old in May 2021.

Northern Ireland are yet to win any of their 14 matches in the competition but a a bright point under boss Ian baraclough has been the introduction of young talents such as the highly-rated Bradley.

"You can see things are developing and performances are getting better. Hopefully the results will come with that, too," said trhe 19-year-old, who is on loan at Bolton Wanderers.

"We keep believing in what we're doing. We will just keep working hard. You always go through a tough spell as a footballer."

Read more here

Image source, Press Eye

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

Ian Baraclough had been talking earlier in the week about building momentum for this Northern Ireland side, yet yesterday's press conference was dominated by the withdrawal of Kyle Lafferty from the squad rather than the fortunes of the team.

There's no doubt it has been a distracted build-up to a crucial two games but Baraclough was adamant full focus is on the 90 minutes that sit ahead.

Kyle Lafferty was withdrawn from Northern Ireland's squad on Friday amid an investigation by his club into an alleged sectarian remark.

On Thursday, Kilmarnock said they were aware of footage "which appears to show a member of our playing staff using language of a sectarian nature".

The Irish FA said on Friday that it "notes an investigation has been launched into the video" by the club.

It said a "minor back problem" had also prevented Lafferty training this week.

Read more here

Image source, Press Eye

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

We're used to big nights at Windsor Park, but if there was ever going to be a big evening at the National Stadium then this would be the perfect time.

Northern Ireland's dire Nations League run has been well documented by this point, and June's drab quartet of games has hardly done anything to lift positivity amongst the Green and White Army.

But we all know that one win could kick-start everything, and, with a sold-out home support behind them, Ian Baraclough will be hoping today's the day against a dangerous Kosovo side.

Ian Baraclough makes eighth changes from the 2-2 draw with Cyprus in Belfast in June.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Tom Flanagan, Dion Charles, Jamal Lewis, Corry Evans, Conor Bradley, Josh Magennis and Georger Saville come back into the Northern Ireland line-up.

The Irish FA has also just announced that Conor McMenamin has been withdrawn from the squad "in light of of an historic media video which has been circulated".

Read more on that breaking story here

Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell; McNair, J. Evans, Flanagan, Lewis; C. Evans, Davis, Saville; Bradley, Magennis, D Charles.

Let's just say the Nations League is not a competition regarded with much affection by the Northern Ireland team and fans.

Fourteen games in and not a single victory to enjoy and celebrate but of course this could be the day when that miserable run ends.

Kosovo are 48 places below Ian Baraclough's team in the world rankings although they were 3-2 winners when the team met in Prishtina three months ago.

Pressure is building on Baraclough with Northern Ireland sitting third in Group C2 with two points from four games and in danger of relegation to the fourth tier.

Kilmarnock striker Kyle Lafferty was released from the squad on Friday amid allegations of making a sectarian remark.

On a more positive note it's cap number 99 for defender Jonny Evans today but the Leicester man is one booking away from a suspension as he aims to bring up his century up in Tuesday's game against Greece.

Thanks for joining us and we hope you enjoy our coverage of what Baraclough described as a game with "so much at stake".