* Slovenia are currently ranked 17th in the world ahead of France, while Northern Ireland are ranked 40th, sandwiched between Nigeria and Burkina Faso.
* Slovenia have qualified for the European Championships just once, that coming in 2000 when they finished bottom of their group with one point behind Spain, Yugoslavia and Norway.
* Northern Ireland have never qualified for the European Championships but were just beaten to Euro 2008 by Sweden, a campaign that saw them beat Spain 3-2 at Windsor Park with David Healy scoring hat-trick.
* Slovenia are second in the group, ahead of Serbia on goal difference with both sides having seven points from five matches.
* Northern Ireland are fifth in the group with five points, two behind Slovenia, but have a game-in-hand on their visitors.
* The two sides have met three times in the last three years with Northern Ireland winning their last two matches 1-0 with Slovenia recording a 2-0 beforehand.
* In Group C, only Italy have conceded less than Northern Ireland. The Azzurri have conceded just the once – against Estonia – whilst Norn Iron have conceded three.
* Slovenia have won just two of their last eight European Championship qualifiers away from home.
* Northern Ireland have won five of their last seven European Championship qualifiers at home.
* Robert Koren will become the tenth most-capped Slovenian international ever if he wins his 57th cap on Tuesday.
LAST MEETING
September 3 2010: Slovenia 0-1 Northern Ireland
The two sides met at the Ljudski vrt Stadium in the first round of qualifiers, a match that ended 1-0 thanks to a solitary goal from Manchester United youngster Corry Evans after good work from his ex-United team-mate Craig Cathcart.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Northern Ireland: Camp; Baird, J Evans, Cathcart, Hughes; Brunt, C Evans, Clingan, Gorman; Lafferty, W Feeney.
Slovenia: S Handanovic; Illic, Mavric, Brecko, Jokic; Birsa, Koren, Radosavljevic, Kirm; Novakovic, Dedic.
This match represents a must-win for both sides, but it’s more essential for the Northern Irish as if they lose this match they will be all but out of the running for qualification, while Slovenia have to win to keep just a slight amount of pressure on group-leaders Italy and to stay ahead of Serbia. The emphasis is very much on the hosts to attack their visitors and with Slovenia missing Bostjan Cesar, they are likely to be weaker than usual, however, Northern Ireland do not score many. It should be a low-scoring match but the home side can definitely pick up a much needed three points.
N. Ireland 1-0 Slovenia 
