Northern Ireland travel to face Finland in Group F of Euro 2016 qualification at the Helsingin Olympiastadion knowing that they have already booked a place at the tournament in France.

The hosts, meanwhile, have been ruled out of contention for progression and will be seeking to stop the visitors from gaining the point required for NI to finish top of the group.

Finland

This game comes as a bit of a dead rubber for a Finland side that has disappointed during the qualification stages.

Much of the damage was done with two defeats last year and three this year, with former coach Mixu Paatelainen paying the price for four straight defeats that culminated in his sacking back in June.

The country has already installed new coach Hans Backe to come in and take over next year, leaving current caretaker manager Markku Kanerva to see them through the rest of the qualification period.

Things had looked up for the country following back-to-back wins over Greece and the Faroe Islands, before they succumbed to a late 1-1 draw with Romania on Thursday night.

Finland might have kept their hopes of gaining a third-place playoff spot alive had they held on to their lead against Romania, but they fell to a late leveller from Ovidiu Hoban, who dashed any chance of Backe leading his new side out in France next year.

What might give the Finnish players some inspiration come Sunday is the threat that Becke could arguably decide to lead a mass cull of his squad following disappointment in qualification, meaning that some players might just be playing for their international futures against Northern Ireland.

Recent form: LLLWWD

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland come into the contest potentially nursing a few headaches having secured progression to their first finals in 30 years by beating Greece on Thursday.

That 3-1 victory at Windsor Park has ensured that NI will be competing in Euro 2016 and need just one point against Finland on Sunday to finish top of the group.

Michael O'Neill's leadership this campaign has been nothing short of legendary, as has the performance of his players, and they will be confident of claiming top stop come the end of the weekend.

Southampton midfielder Steven Davis appears in remarkable form given his two goals against Greece, while stand-in striker Josh Magennis more than made up for the absence of Kyle Lafferty up top.

Following the country's historic win, fans and players alike rejoiced in celebrations in Belfast city centre and skipper Davis has already admitted that some members of the squad had just a few hours' sleep before boarding their plane to Finland on Friday.

Despite already gaining qualification, there is still some massive incentive for O'Neill's men to come into the Finland game looking for victory.

Finishing top of the group could be vital come next year and the Northern Ireland players will surely be determined to close up their qualification campaign in a perfect manner by ensuring that end up on top of the pile.

Recent form: LWDWDW

Team News

Kyle Lafferty (R) of Northern Ireland and Richard Guzmics (L) of Hungary in action during the Euro 2016 Group F qualifying match at Windsor Park on September 7, 2015 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

For the away side, Lafferty is able to return from his suspension, but it looks likely that Magennis has done enough to secure another competitive cap for his country.

NI could welcome back Jonny Evans from injury after he missed the Greece game with hamstring trouble, and there could also be a spot for returning Derby County skipper Chris Baird following his red card against Hungary.

The Finns will be looking to leading scorer Joel Pohjanpalo for goals on Sunday, as he is expected to start alongside Riku Riski in attack.

The hosts will be without experienced midfielder Tim Sparv, who is missing through suspension following an accumulation of yellow cards.

Finland possible starting lineup:
Hradecky; Arajuuri, Moisander, Schuller, Hetemaj, Arkivuo, Halsti, Uronen, Ring, Pohjanpalo, Pukki

Northern Ireland possible starting lineup:
McGovern; McNair, Evans, McAuley, Brunt, Baird, C Evans, Davis, Dallas, Ward, Magennis

Head To Head

These sides last squared up in the reverse of this qualification fixture in Belfast, where a brace from Lafferty saw NI to a 2-1 victory over Finland. Across eight fixtures, the Northern Irish men have collected four wins, one draw and three losses against Finland. Northern Ireland last won on Finnish soil back in 2006, to avenge two prior losses away from home.

We say: Finland 1-2 Northern Ireland

Kanerva has certainly brought some confidence back to this Finland team and their two recent victories have proven that they are capable of grinding out three points. On Sunday, however, they will be coming up against a side full of spark having qualified for their first ever European Championship finals. O'Neill's charges are also aware that they still need a point to ensure that they finish top of the group and they will be keen to make sure that they end Group F in the strongest position possible.