Northern Ireland v Greece preview: Michael O'Neill's men close on qualification

Northern Ireland can book their place at a major tournament for the first time since 1986 with victory at home to Greece on Thursday.

Michael O'Neill's side require just two points from their remaining two games, the second of which being against Finland, to secure their spot at next summer's European Championships in France.

Kyle Lafferty's late stoppage-time equaliser salvaged a vital point at home to Hungary in their previous outing to put them on the cusp of qualification. However, the talismanic forward will miss Thursday's clash through suspension.

Northern Ireland began their qualification campaign with three consecutive victories for the first time in their history, the third being a 2-0 triumph against Greece in Athens.

For Greece, meanwhile, this has been a campaign to forget. The 2004 champions head to Windsor Park bottom of the group having failed to win any of their previous 11 matches, losing six and drawing five.