Northern Ireland fell to Switzerland last time out in a 2-0 defeat which saw left-back Jamal Lewis receive his marching orders in a controversial fashion with a second yellow card in the first half for time-wasting.

The side were dominated on the ball and created very little against a Swiss side that took 27 shots.

Bulgaria are looking to bounce back from shock 3-1 loss to Lithuania in Vilnius – the Green and White Army won 4-1 on their travels to the Eastern European country.

The two teams are level on points in Group C and Ian Baraclough’s away side will be hoping to get some breathing room in third.

Bulgaria sit in fourth on a worse goal difference of -5, while Steven Davis and co. benefit from their -1 differential.

Northern Ireland were held to a goalless draw by Bulgaria in Belfast in March and another close encounter is expected on Tuesday night.

Jonny Evans has not joined the squad due to an illness on top of his long-standing foot injury that he suffered in the FA Cup final.

Bulgaria, on the other hands, have all players at their disposal for the World Cup qualifier clash.

Both sides are hoping to earn their second win of the campaign and lead the race for third place.

A win will all but eliminate the loser – Switzerland play Lithuania this evening.

Probable Lineups

Bulgaria – last match (4-4-2): Lukov; Bozhikov, Hristov, Hristov, Antov; Despotev, Vitanov, Malinov, Nedelev; Iliev, Yomov.

Northern Ireland (5-4-1): Peacock-Farrell; Bradley, Ballard, Cathcart, Flanagan, Ferguson; Dallas, Davis, Magennis, Saville; Washington.

Odds

Bulgaria 7/4

Draw 15/8

Northern Ireland 9/5

Where To Watch

The game will kick-off at 7:45 pm and will be available to watch live on Sky Sports Football with coverage starting at 7:30 pm.

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The two teams in Group C are in need of a win to chase Italy and Switzerland down, with Ian Baraclough’s side sitting third, five points off the play-off spot.

A 2-0 loss to a rotated Italian side before their European success and a goalless draw with Bulgaria are all Northern Ireland have to show for their efforts thus far.

Baraclough’s national side have only won one of their last 10 games – a 3-0 friendly win over Malta in June – and have been the lesser side when it comes to possession in each of them.

Their five-at-the-back setup is likely to be in use once again tonight but it will not be at full strength as their will be several absentees.

Leeds United star Stuart Dallas did not travel to Lithuania with the side for personal reasons and will not return for the Switzerland clash.

Hearts forward Liam Boyce misses out for family reasons.

Corry Evans joins his brother Jonny on the sidelines after straining his hamstring and Josh Magennis has been replaced in the squad by Kyle Lafferty after picking up a knock.

Craig Cathcart is a doubt for the Lithuania fixture but Baraclough has said that he expects the Watford defender to play.

Morecombe loanee Alfie McCalmont, whose parent club is Leeds, has been called up from the under-21s.

Stephen Donnelly returns from a long-term injury while Sunderland’s Tom Flanagan has also joined up with the squad.

Midfielder George Saville will miss the game through suspension but will be available for the side’s match against Switzerland.

Leicester first-team coach Adam Sadler, who joined Baraclough’s staff this week, will not be with the side for the September internationals due to a family bereavement.

Lineups

Lithuania (4-2-3-1): Setkus; Baravykas, Utkas, Satkus, Slavickus; Verbickas, Megelaitis; Novikovas, Chernykh, Lasickas; Dubickas.

Subs: Gertmonas, Klimavicius, Gaspuitis, Dapkus, Uzela, Jankauskas, Tutyskinas, Kazlauskas, Plukas, Barauskas, Vorobjovas.

Northern Ireland (5-3-2): Peacock-Farrell; Smith, Cathcart, Ballard, Lewis, McNair; Davis (C), Thompson, McCann; Lavery, Washington.

Subs: Donnelly, Carson, Flanagan, McCalmont, Lafferty, McGinn, Brown, Jones, Whyte, Charles, Hazard.

Odds

Lithuania 10/3

Draw 2/1

Northern Ireland 19/20

Where To Watch

Lithuania v Northern Ireland will kick-off at 7:45 pm Irish Standard Time. The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football with coverage starting at 7:30 pm.

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DARREN RANDOLPH – 6

Randolph marked the 50^th appearance of his Ireland career tonight with a clean sheet. That could have been a very different story. He very nearly gave the ball away to Bulgarian striker Kraev as he slipped up while trying to play out from the back. Thankfully, though, he had the composure to get the ball away to safety.

DARA O’SHEA – 7

Dara O’Shea started at right back tonight having previously played left back and centre back for Ireland in his short international career so far. He looked comfortable going forward and at the back aside from one occasion when he played a Bulgarian player on which nearly led to a chance.

SHANE DUFFY – 6

Stuck to his task well as he denied Bulgaria a goal. Done just enough to stop Bulgaria scoring from a corner as his pressure put off his opposite number. He did, however, make one pass which was intercepted and could have easily led to a Bulgaria goal.

KEVIN LONG – 6

Looked comfortable at the back without being too noticeable. Received an early yellow but that didn’t affect his performance. The Burnley man was dominant in his 50/50s.

RYAN MANNING – 5

Manning made his long-awaited international debut tonight at left back. The 24-year-old looked fairly comfortable defensively on the night. He would have liked to have had more influence going forward, though. Subbed off for Cyrus Christie in the 85^th minute.

JASON KNIGHT – 6

It was a first international start for Jason Knight, having previously came on as a sub against Finland and Wales. The Derby midfielder was typically combative in midfield. He created Ireland’s best chance of the game as his driving run in midfield set up Ronan Curtis who shot over the bar. He did give the ball away on one occasion which could have been dangerous, but he got back quick enough to help out defensively.

CONOR HOURIHANE – 5

Put one good ball into the box towards the end of the match which just evaded the onrushing Jason Knight. Otherwise, didn’t have much influence on the game.

ROBBIE BRADY – 6

Normally very composed and reliable on the ball, Brady was sloppy in possession at times tonight. He looked to play progressive passes, but it didn’t come off for him like it has done in the past. He did come very close to opening the scoring, though. He struck from range after making space for himself only to be denied by the post. Replaced by Jack Byrne due to injury in the 77^th minute.

DARYL HORGAN – 6

Daryl Horgan made his 3^rd consecutive start for Ireland tonight. Made a few good runs down the right as he looked to beat Cicinho on a handful of occasions. Put one good cross onto the head of James Collins who struck over the bar. Subbed off for Josh Cullen in the 67^th minute.

RONAN CURTIS – 6

Missed Ireland’s best chance of the match as he was played into space by Jason Knight. Otherwise, though, displayed high energy in the final third at times which nearly resulted in a goal as his cross was nearly deflected into the path of James Collins. Subbed off for Troy Parrott in the 85^th minute.

JAMES COLLINS – 6

Earned a handful of fouls and got into good positions but the Luton striker wasn’t rewarded with a goal. He came closest when he connected with a Dara O’Shea cross, but his effort went just wide of the post. Subbed off for Sean Maguire in the 85^th minute.

SUBSTITUTIONS

JOSH CULLEN – 6

Recycled and carried the ball well when he came on.

JACK BYRNE – N/A

Showed good intensity after coming on and showed for the ball but failed to create any chances. Played one good ball into the box after nice link up play with Jason Knight but Sean Maguire failed to hit the net.

TROY PARROTT – N/A

Showed some nice touches after coming on and was slipped in towards goal but unfortunately, he was offside.

SEAN MAGUIRE – N/A

The Preston man had one opportunity after coming on as a result of a Jack Byrne cross but didn’t hit the target.

CYRUS CHRISTIE – N/A

Christie made a couple of good runs after coming on down the right hand side, none of which led to any opportunities.

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Aaron McEneff, Graham Burke, Jack Taylor and Troy Parrott have all been called up to the Ireland squad ahead of their fixture against Bulgaria. Parrott and Burke will be familiar with the Ireland setup, having been included in previous squads. McEneff and Taylor, however, receive their first call up to a senior Ireland squad.

Taylor and Parrott were included in the u21 squad who suffered defeat to Iceland on Tuesday where both players performed well without rewards. The inclusion of Shamrock Rovers’ pair Burke and McEneff comes off the back of a stellar season for both players in the domestic league. Three Rovers players are now involved in the senior squad as Burke and McEneff link up with Jack Byrne.

The call-ups come after another international break riddled with injuries and suspensions within the Ireland camp. No less than 13 players included in the original squad have been ruled out for various reasons.

Matt Doherty and James McClean were the latest to be ruled out due to testing positive for Covid-19. An injury to Adam Idah which was confirmed today also rules the young striker out.

Ireland take on Bulgaria on Wednesday in a crucial relegation deciding match. An Ireland loss would mean relegation to League C in the Nations League. Stephen Kenny needs a win in what has been a stressful start as Ireland manager.

Ireland squad against Bulgaria:

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Caoimhín Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth)

Defenders: Kevin Long (Burnley), Shane Duffy (Celtic, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Cyrus Christie (Nottingham Forest, on loan from Fulham), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers), Ryan Manning (Swansea City).

Midfielders: Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Robbie Brady (Burnley), Jack Byrne (Shamrock Rovers), Jason Knight (Derby County), Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Aaron McEneff (Shamrock Rovers), Jack Taylor (Peterborough United).

Attackers: Graham Burke (Shamrock Rovers, on loan from Preston North End), James Collins (Luton Town), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Sean Maguire (Preston North End), Troy Parrott (Millwall, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur).

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