Northern Ireland vs Slovakia: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time and Team News

Thursday night sees a huge tie unfold at Windsor Park as Northern Ireland host Slovakia in a playoff to determine who will progress to the delayed European Championship next summer.

Euro 2016 was the first appearance in the championships for either team, so the pressure to make it consecutive qualifications will be mounting for the players.

Neither side come into the game in great form, having failed to win in normal time for the past five matches. We shouldn't expect a breathtaking encounter, but what's at stake will make it one to watch.

Where to Watch

When Is Kick Off? Thursday 12 November
What Time Is Kick Off? 19:45 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Windsor Park
Referee? Felix Brych
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports Premier League (UK), fuboTV (US)

Team News

Despite picking up a little knock to his back at the weekend, Jonny Evans is set to pass fit for Northern Ireland. Meanwhile, Corry Evans is out (hamstring), leaving Gavin Whyte the likely option to start on the right of midfield.

For Slovakia, new coach Stefan Tarkovic has recalled former Manchester City man Vladimir Weiss, who looks set to play for his country for the first time since 2018. Inter's Milan Skriniar is also set to feature, having missed the last playoff game against the Republic of Ireland last month.

Predicted Lineups

Northern Ireland: Peacock- Farrell; Dallas, Cathcart, Evans, Lewis; Davis, Saville; Whyte, McNair, McGinn; Magennis.

Slovakia: Rodak; Pekarik, Skriniar, Valjent, Mazan; Kucka, Hrosovsky; Rusnak, Hamsik, Weiss; Duda.

Recent Form

Both teams have struggled recently. For Northern Ireland, you have to go back over a year to find the last time they won a match in normal time and Ian Baraclough hasn't managed to change his side's fortunes since he took over in June.

In their four Nations League games so far, they've drawn one and lost three, most notably being thumped 5-1 by Norway in September, leaving them bottom of the group.

Slovakia have the same record in the Nations League and the Slovakian FA recently decided to part company with former coach Pavel Hapal.

Tarkovic has now assumed the responsibility of qualifying for the Euros and getting his side's first win in normal time since November 19 last year.

Northern Ireland

Norway 1-0 Northern Ireland (14/10)
Northern Ireland 0-1 Austria (11/10)
Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Northern Ireland (3-4 on Penalties) (8/10)
Northern Ireland 1-5 Norway (7/9)
Romania 1-1 Northern Ireland (4/9)

Slovakia

Slovakia 2-3 Israel (14/10)
Scotland 1-0 Slovakia (11/10)
Slovakia 0-0 Republic of Ireland (4-2 on Penalties) (8/10)
Israel 1-1 Slovakia (7/9)
Slovakia 1-3 Czech Republic (4/9)

Prediction

In normal circumstances, the Northern Irish fans would play a huge part in this game and would influence the outcome. However, in these Covid stricken times the Northern Irish players will have just 1,000 fans to encourage them.

Without the wall of noise that 18,000 fans would generate, the game is going to be even tighter and scrappier than it would be normally. If you're looking for a thriller involving end to end action, don't tune into this one. There is no doubt it's going to be a nail-biter, given what the teams are playing for.

Slovakia will be confident without the prospect of fan intimidation and rejuvenated under a new coach. While Northern Ireland aren't the worst going forward, the sight of Skriniar will send shivers down the spines of their offensive threats, while the creativity of Hamsik and Weiss will be tough for the Green and White Army's defence throughout the 90 minutes.

Prediction: Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovakia