Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI at Aviva Stadium

Stephen Kenny really didn't want to be in this position.

With 90 minutes remaining of what has been a decidedly mixed Nations League campaign, the Republic of Ireland are still not clear of relegation.

While Saturday's performance against Scotland ranks among the more positive of Kenny's reign, a 2-1 defeat leaves the Boys in Green needing to avoid defeat by Armenia to ensure they skip over the relegation trapdoor and end 2022 (in a competitive sense, anyway) on a high note.

The loss at Hampden Park unquestionably dented whatever momentum was gained from the June window, but it's worth noting that the Republic's last home game - against Scotland - produced easily the best result of the Kenny era.

And while it's impossible to escape the gloomy memory of June's loss to Armenia when thinking about tonight's game, tonight's opponents have lost all four games since that shock win in Yerevan.

In that sequence they've conceded 14 and scored just once, while they warmed up for tonight's trip to Dublin with a 5-0 hammering at home by a second-string Ukraine.

The Republic really should have this one in the bag. Then again, a lot of people would have thought the same before the Luxembourg game last year.

Image source, Inpho

Mark Sterling
BBC Sport NI in Athens

Over 1,000 Northern Ireland supporters will be in the Georgios Kamaras Stadium this evening - 976 is the official number but more of that are expected.

Monastiraki Square was the designated meeting point for them in Athens city centre this afternoon, and they will have had a longer build-up than normal with the game kicking off at 21:45 BST local time.

It was largely overcast in Athens today, with a bit of rain early in the afternoon, so the bucket hats may not have been needed just as much as was predicted.

Stephen Kenny makes just two changes from Saturday's defeat by Scotland, one of which is enforced with Jeff Hendrick in for the suspended Josh Cullen.

The other change sees James McClean drop out of left wing-back. He is replaced by Robbie Brady, who makes his first international start since March 2021.

Kenny keeps faith in the youthful attacking partnership of Michael Obafemi and Troy Parrott, while John Egan - fresh off his goal against Scotland - once again captains the side in Seamus Coleman's absence.

Republic of Ireland: Bazunu, O'Shea, Collins, Egan (capt), Doherty, Molumby, Hendrick, Knight, Brady, Obafemi, Parrott.

Subs: Travers, O'Leary, Coleman, Duffy, Scales, Hourihane, Browne, O'Dowda, Ogbene, Robinson, McClean, Hogan.

Armenia: Yurchenko, Hambardzumyan, Haroyan (capt), Mikoyan, Calisir, Ararat, Spertsyan, Grigoryan, Bayramyan, Barseghyan, Zelarayan.

Subs: Buchnev, Beglaryan, Voskanyan, Hakobyan, Harutyunyan, Mkrtchyan, Margaryan, Muradyan, Dashyan, Bichakhchyan, Serobyan, Shaghoyan.

Image source, BBC Sport

As expected Jonny Evans is handed the captain's armband for his 100th international appearance.

Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough makes three changes from the side which clinched a dramatic victory over Kosovo on Saturday.

Two come in midfield with Jordan Thompson and Ali McCann replacing Corry Evans and George Saville while Dion Charles makes way for Shayne Lavery in attack.

It looks like the same 3-5-2 formation Baraclough went with on Saturday.

Image source, BBC Sport

It's a big night for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as they go into their final Nations League group games with the threat of relegation hanging over them.

Northern Ireland must at least match Cyprus' result against Kosovo to ensure safety when they take on Group C2 leaders Greece in Athens.

Saturday's thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Kosovo saw Ian Baraclough's men secure a first Nations League victory at the 15th attempt and boosted confidence ahead of tonight's encounter.

It will undoubtedly be a match to remember for Jonny Evans as the big Leicester defender brings up his century of international appearances.

The 34-year-old becomes the fourth Northern Ireland player to reach the 100-cap milestone and he will captain the team tonight in recognition of the achievement.

The sceniario is simple for the Republic - avoid defeat to bottom side Armenia at the Aviva Stadium and they will retain their second-tier status.

The 2-1 loss to Scotland on Saturday was a blow after taking the lead and the Republic lost 1-0 to the Armenians when they meet in June.

However, Armenia are without a win in their last nine away games while Stephen Kenny's side have tasted defeat just once in eight matches in Dublin.

We'll bring you Radio Ulster commentary and analysis from Athens along with text updates from the two games.

Thanks for joining us!

Image source, BBC Sport