DID YOU KNOW?
In the last two competitive matches between the two sides, Northern Ireland have gained just one point, a 2-2 draw in the 2006 World Cup qualifying in September 2004.
Wales won their last meeting, beating Northern Ireland 3-2 in their own back-yard in October 2004.
Stuart Dallas and Jordan Owens could make their debuts for Northern Ireland on Friday.
At no point in the last four years have Wales been ranked higher than Northern Ireland by Fifa.
In March this year, Wales were ranked lower than at any other time since the beginning of Fifa’s ranking system as they were rated 116 in the world. They are now ranked 114th.
Northern Ireland are currently ranked at 65th in the world, the lowest since August 2006 when Fifa declared them the 72nd best national team.
The current Northern Ireland squad (including Davis and Clingan) have 199 caps between them, but have only scored nine times with Warren Feeney on five and Davis and Gareth McAuley (pictured right) on two each.
Northern Ireland have lost their last two matches, letting in eight goals in the process and scoring none.
Wales have also lost their last two matches, conceding five goals and scoring none over the course of those matches.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Wales (4-5-1)
Hennessey; Gunter, Gabbidon, Morgan, D Collins; Cotterill, Collison, Ramsey, Vaughan, Bellamy; Earnshaw.
Wales have had a number of injury problems leading up to the tournament with James Collins, Lewin Nyatanga, David Edwards, Joe Ledley and Ched Evans all withdrawing, whilst Ashley Williams, Joe Allen, Simon Church and Hal Robson-Kanu are unavailable as they are involved in the Championship play-off final between Swansea and Reading.
Many of the regulars could start against Northern Ireland after the majority of them started on the bench for the Scotland match on Wednesday evening, therefore meaning the likes of Aaron Ramsey, David Vaughan and Craig Bellamy could all start.
Northern Ireland (4-4-2)
Tuffey; Hodson, Cathcart, McAuley, McGivern; McGinn, Norwood, Garrett, Gorman; Feeney, Boyce.
Following the 5-0 hammering against Republic of Ireland on Monday, Nigel Worthington will be forced into a number of changes, some form induced, whilst two of their most experienced performers – Steven Davis and Sammy Clingan – have been ruled out due to injuries.
Another enforced change will come in defence after 18-year-old defender Adam Thompson was sent off against Northern Ireland’s arch-rivals.
Prediction
Admittedly, this scoreline is optimistic in the sense that goals ensure added entertainment, but Northern Ireland have been utterly dire recently with their 5-0 trouncing at the hands of their Ireland-neighbours bringing that fact to the fore.
Wales on the other hand haven’t been in great form either; however they do possess a decent side and should injuries be kept to a minimum, then there is no reason why they can’t beat their opponents almost as easily as Republic of Ireland did on Tuesday with the ability of Ramsey unmatchable in the Northern Ireland team.
Wales on the other hand haven’t been in great form either; however they do possess a decent side and should injuries be kept to a minimum, then there is no reason why they can’t beat their opponents almost as easily as Republic of Ireland did on Tuesday with the ability of Ramsey unmatchable in the Northern Ireland team.
Wales 3-0 N. Ireland 
Peñarol 2-1 Velez Sarsfield 
