With just one point from two games at the 2024 European Under-19 Championship, Norway Under-19s and Northern Ireland Under-19s both seek victory in their final Group A fixture on Sunday.
Ahead of a crucial clash in Belfast, the hosts and their Norwegian rivals trail second-placed Ukraine by a point, while Italy have already booked a spot in the semi-finals.
Match preview
Despite boasting a fine record during qualification, Norway have yet to taste victory at this summer's Under-19 Euros, following an opening defeat with a disappointing goalless draw on Thursday.
Beaten 2-1 by Italy three days earlier, Luis Pimenta's side created the best chances in the first half against Ukraine - Benjamin Faraas struck the post and Sander Kilen was denied by a sharp save - but they failed to capitalise and later ran out of steam.
Having only one point to their name leaves Norway needing Italy to at least deny Ukraine victory this weekend, while a win at Belfast's Seaview Stadium would also help their cause considerably.
Finishing inside Group A's top two would not only take them through to the semis for a second year running, but it would also secure qualification for the 2025 Under-20 World Cup.
By contrast, third place will result in an early exit from the Euros and leave Norway facing a nerve-wracking World Cup playoff; finishing fourth would see them leave empty-handed.
Like Sunday's opponents, Northern Ireland cannot afford to lose, having also drawn 0-0 with Ukraine and been beaten by reigning champions Italy.
The latter match saw Gareth McAuley's side suffer a 3-0 defeat in Larne, going behind after 15 minutes at Inver Park and then conceding either side of the break, as 16-year-old AC Milan prodigy Francesco Camarda bagged himself a brace.
There was no shame in losing to the Azzurrini, but now the tournament hosts must produce a first win in 11 games if they are to have any chance of making the semi-finals.
Taking part in just their second Under-19 Euros, Northern Ireland's previous appearance was also on home soil in 2005, when they finished bottom of the group with three straight defeats,
McAuley's squad have already improved on their predecessors' performance, but breaking new ground by reaching the knockout stage now relies upon securing victory at Seaview and hoping Italy beat Ukraine.
Team News
After Daniel Braut - younger brother of Erling Braut Haaland - and Mats Pedersen were both dropped from the starting XI for Norway's draw with Ukraine, both are in contention to feature from the first whistle on Sunday.
The other forwards in Luis Pimenta's squad have yet to produce a goal, and qualifying top scorer Sindre Walle Egele was refused permission by Nordsjaelland to join up with his Under-19 national team this summer.
Meanwhile, Gareth McAuley made a total of four changes on Monday night, with Reece Evans coming in up front, Dylan Stitt and Jack Doherty starting in midfield and George Goodman being brought in at the back.
Further alterations may be considered this weekend, as Northern Ireland go all-out for three points to potentially stay in the tournament; their youngest player, 16-year-old striker Braiden Graham, is among those vying for promotion from the bench.
St Mirren's Gallagher Lennon wears the captain's armband and Pierce Charles of Sheffield Wednesday starts in goal.
Norway Under-19s possible starting lineup:
Borsheim; Rosten, Holten, Haram, Andresen; Helland; Pedersen, Hernes, Granaas, Bang-Kittilsen; Braut
Northern Ireland Under-19s possible starting lineup:
Charles; Briggs, Goodman, Lennon; Barr, Trickett, McClure, Thompson; Stitt, Morrison; Graham
We say: Norway Under-19s 2-0 Northern Ireland Under-19s
Despite having home advantage on their side, Northern Ireland may exit the Under-19 Euros at the group stage: the hosts pose little threat in the final third and can be caught out at the back, so Norway should win and have a good shot at going through.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
