Italy travel to Belfast for their final match of 2022 on the back of 1-0 friendly defeats by Austria and Brazil.

However, those losses followed a successful World Cup qualification campaign that saw them safely secure a place in next year's finals in Australia and New Zealand by topping their group.

Like Northern Ireland, they competed at the Euro finals in England during the summer but - also like Northern Ireland - finished bottom of a group that included France, Belgium and Iceland.

Milena Bertolini's squad features nine players who ply their trade with Juventus, while the remainder mainly play for other Italian giants such as AC Milan, Inter Milan, Roma and Fiorentina.

Italy are currently ranked 14th in the world, while their opponents tonight are 35 places behind them in 49th.

Image source, Getty Images

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Seaview

Given it is a friendly rather than competitive action, Kenny Shiels could have mixed things up for Northern Ireland's final game of the year.

However, the line-up he has selected is a familiar one with minimal changes from September's last World Cup qualifiers.

It's no surprise to see Lauren Wade and Kelsie Burrows come back into the team after they missed September.

It looks like Emily Wilson will be tasked with leading the line after another strong season with Crusaders, and only two of the title-winning Cliftonville team in the squad - Marissa Callaghan and Burrows - make the starting team.

One of those Reds, 19-year-old Fi Morgan, could make her senior debut from the bench. One to watch.

The Euros in the summer were everything and more for Kenny Shiels and his team.

We'll always have the Euros, but captain Marissa Callaghan was in forward-thinking mode ahead of tonight's visit of Italy to Seaview.

The Cliftonville midfielder has described the match as "an exciting beginning" for the NI team as they strive to build on that maiden appearance at a major finals.

Read more of the skipper's thoughts here.

Image source, Pacemaker

Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels has made three changes to his starting line-up from their last match in September.

Out of the side from the 3-1 World Cup qualifying win in Latvia go Ellie Mason, Toni Leigh Finnegan and Caitlin McGuinness, and they are replaced by Kelsie Burrows, Chloe McCarron and Lauren Wade.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, BBC Sport

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI at Seaview

Seaview is filling up nicely for Northern Ireland's final match of 2022.

It's been a big, big year for not only the team, but also the fans.

Some have been through the gruelling years of growing pains and heartbreak, and this current team have inspired a new generation of the Green and White Army.

There's a great buzz in and around the ground. Let's hope the on-pitch action can live up to it.

Northern Ireland manager Kenny Shiels is expecting a "high-octane" match against a "massive nation" for his team tonight.

Shiels has also spoken about the Irish FA's decision to play the match at Seaview, as well as answering questions about the vacant NI men's manager's job after the sacking of Ian Baraclough last month.

Read more of Shiels' thoughts on the game here.

Image source, Pacemaker

2022 will live long in the memory of everyone associated with women's football in Northern Ireland.

Few will ever forget - especially the members of the Green and White Army who made the trip - Kenny Shiels' side playing in the country's first-ever major finals at the Euros in England during the summer.

Tonight at Seaview - the north Belfast venue that has become the spiritual home for this NI team - Shiels' girls play their final match of 2022 by taking on Italy in a friendly.

It is also a first game at home since those history-making Euros, and it is fitting that the stadium is a sell-out for the occasion.

We are streaming the game live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website, and will also keep you covered with live text commentary and in-play goal clips online. As ever, our man Andy Gray is at the ground for the match report and reaction.

Sit back and enjoy the Northern Ireland women's team signing off on a memorable year.

Image source, BBC Sport