Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Russia was twice scheduled for March, but postponed on both occasions due to snow. Finally it will take place this Wednesday, with Russia able to reclaim Group F's top spot with a victory.
Northern Ireland vs. Russia, 2014 World Cup qualifying: Preview and TV schedule
Northern Ireland’s twice-postponed World Cup qualifier against Russia will finally take place on Wednesday.
Scott Heavey
As it stands, Fabio Capello's team are a couple of points behind table-toppers Portugal, albeit with two games in hand. Meanwhile, only goal difference is keeping Northern Ireland from the foot of the table, though they'd move above Azerbaijan and into fourth if they avoid defeat. That looks unlikely, with the hosts having not won in their last 13 international matches.
There's no place in Fabio Capello's Russia squad for ex-Arsenal winger Andrey Arshavin, who signed a two-year contract with Zenit Saint Petersburg earlier this summer. That's despite Russia's injury troubles, with striker Alexander Kokorin and defenders Alexei Berezutsky and Yury Zhirkov sidelined.
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has called up goalkeeper Michael McGovern after Alan Mannus withdrew with a shoulder injury, though Palermo striker Kyle Lafferty has returned after missing the last qualifier through suspension.
Match date/time: Wednesday, 7:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland
TV: Sky Sports 3/HD (U.K.)
Online: Sky Go (U.K.), ESPN3 (U.S.)
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