Despite the massive nature of this game, that (visibly anyway) hasn't filtered through to the players.

There has been constant smiles and infectious laughter in training, with the squad clearly enjoying the ride as they put in the hard yards in Wiener Neustadt

But don't let that fool you. Once the green shirt is pulled one, the smiles will be replaced with the steely determination that has served them so well this far.

They believe they can do it and who can write this side off after their story to date?

Image source, Presseye

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI

There's so much versatility in this Northern Ireland team it's sometimes hard to second guess what Kenny Shiels is going to do.

But, given those he has named and the 4-3-3 worked so well against Austria in October, we reckon Rebecca Holloway has got the nod to start on the left of a front three, in part to deal with Austria's attacking threat.

Kenny Shiels experimented playing Holloway in midfield against North Macedonia, and she stepped up with three goals on top of her defensive contribution, so the thought of a traditional left back starting in attack isn't as crazy an idea as it first may seem.

The decision to play Abbie Magee at right back over Rebecca McKenna is an interesting call, as McKenna has been rock solid since coming into the team and Magee hasn't had a lot of minutes since returning from her knee injury in February.

It's a big night for Magee, but she has the ability to reward Shiels' faith in her.

Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels has made two changes from the side that hammered North Macedonia 9-0 in Belfast in November.

Abbie Magee comes in at right-back in place of Rebecca McKenna, while Chloe McCarron starts with Kirsty McGuinness dropping to the bench.

Northern Ireland: Burns, Magee, Nelson, McFadden, Vance, Holloway, Callaghan, Furness, McCarron, Magill, Wade.

Subs: Flaherty, K McGuinness, McKenna, Finnegan, Caldwell, Burrows, Bell, C McGuinness, Andrews, Hamilton, Wilson.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Kenny Shiels can rarely be accused of being understated, and the Northern Ireland manager was at his soundbite-generating best in the build-up to tonight's game.

"It's do or die - there are so many words you can use, but we have got to win," said Shiels of the crucial Group D qualifier.

With the hosts level on points with the second-placed visitors, it's hard to argue with Shiels in terms of just how important this encounter is.

Read more of the former Kilmarnock and Derry City boss's thoughts here.

Image source, Press Eye

Most people will be aware of the journey this Northern Ireland side has been on over the last couple of years - one that has seen them go from minnows to Euro heroes.

Midfielder Megan Bell has been on a journey of her own, and one that was long and difficult during an 18-month lay-off due to a stress fracture discovered in May 2020.

The infectious Rangers midfielder returned to action at the end of last year and is back in Kenny Shiels' squad for this World Cup qualifier double-header.

Andy Gray caught up with her to get the latest on her bid for a place in this summer's Euro finals squad - read what Bell had to say here.

Image source, Press Eye

This is the second time these sides have met in Group D, of course, after what was a dramatic encounter at Seaview on Belfast's Shore Road back in October.

Northern Ireland were just seconds from claiming a huge 2-1 win when Stefanie Enzinger earned the Austrians, then 27 places above NI in the world rankings, a point from the brink of defeat.

The night had earlier been lit up by a stunning Demi Vance free-kick from long range to equalise for the hosts before Lauren Wade put them ahead.

Don't just take our word for it on that Vance screamer, though, have a watch for yourself in our match highlights.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI

As Northern Ireland continue to tick off the boxes in their history-making journey this might just be their biggest game yet.

It's been described as a 'cup final' or 'do or die' in the build-up, which is a far cry from the usual policy across the board of it just being any other game.

And the reality is that this is so much more than a normal qualifier - this could be a once in a lifetime chance for some of these players to reach the biggest tournament in the world.

While NI's superb achievements to date will not be forgotten if tonight does not go to plan, this is an opportunity to take their journey to the next level.

So, here we go then.

There are any number of ways we could try and explain just how monumentally important tonight's match is for Northern Ireland and their Austrian hosts.

The fact that England are coming to town next week and they are not the main story of this camp is certainly one of them.

It will be a historic night when the The Lionesses play at a now sold-out Windsor Park on Tuesday night, but the thoughts of Kenny Shiels and his players will have been firmly fixed on tonight's crucial World Cup qualifier in the Stadion Wiener Neustadt.

It's a huge one. The sides are locked together on 13 points in a two-horse race for second-place behind Group D leaders England. The Austrians have their noses in front, one-goal ahead on goal difference in second, with both teams having three games left to play after tonight's meeting.

"Do or die" is how charismatic Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels described it - and we'll not try and better that for billing.

Stay here for our live stream, text commentary, pundit analysis and in-play goal clips as well as all the reaction after kick-off.

It could get nail-biting, but these are the games this Northern Ireland team want to be involved in.

Enjoy!