Both teams have announced their starting XI’s for this clash.

England have reverted to some of what manager Sarina Wiegman may believe is their strongest side, particularly in their goalkeeper choice. Wiegman has repeatedly said Mary Earps is their first choice and the Manchester United star is playing this evening.

Lionesses: Earps, Bronze, Bright, Williamson, Carter, Stanway, Walsh, Toone, Mead, White, Hemp.

Meanwhile Northern Ireland have named a strong team with star ford Rachel Furness lining up.

Northern Ireland: Burns, Magee, Nelson, McFadden, Vance, Burrows, Callaghan, Furness, Andrews, Magill, Wade.

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of England vs Northern Ireland, as Sarina Wiegman’s side look to close out their World Cup qualifying campaign by maintaining their 100 per cent record at a sold-out Windsor Park. The Lionesses are five points clear of Austria in Group D and their 10-0 victory over North Macedonia on Friday night was their seventh win from as many fixtures. Wiegman’s side have scored 63 times in their campaign so far and have yet to concede a goal-and-striker Ellen White is now just four goals of Wayne Rooney’s England record.

England beat Northern Ireland 4-0 in October at Wembley, with Beth Mead scoring a late hat-trick, but the hosts will be desperate to pick points to increase their chances of beating Austria to a play-off place. Kenny Shiels’ side have also been drawn in England’s group for the European Championship this summer so tonight’s fixture will be important to both teams in their preparations. A crowd of 16,000 at Windsor Park will be a record for a women’s match in Northern Ireland.