Five games into the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign and Northern Ireland are still searching for the first victory, but second-placed Russia will be out to ensure the Green and White Army do not end the barren run on Wednesday.

Following some dismal results in the Euro 2012 qualifiers, the national team chiefs opted to replace Nigel Worthington with Michael O’Neill, but the managerial change has failed to bring much needed improvement.

Northern Ireland lost two of three friendly games at the start of 2012, conceding 12 goals in the process, so no wonder they started the World Cup qualifiers low on spirits.

The team did show some improvement following the opening defeat in Russia, sharing spoils with Luxembourg, Portugal and Azerbaijan, but home defeat to Israel ended their qualifying hopes.

Northern Ireland players are now desperate to show some improvement, but nobody is surprised they are no less than 10.00 (9/1) with Coral to end 13-match winless run.

Michael McGovern, Lee Hodson and Michael O’Connor have been drafted into the squad after Alan Mannus was forced to withdraw.

Jonny Evans has recovered from a minor knock, but Sammy Clingan and Chris Brunt miss out through injury and suspension respectively.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Carroll – Hughes, McAuley, Evans, D. Lafferty – C. Evans, McCann – McGinn, S. Davis, Ferguson – K. Lafferty.

After a disappointing exit in the group stage of Euro 2012, Russia enjoyed a strong start to the new qualifying campaign under Fabio Capello.

The team recorded four straight victories without conceding a single goal, but the 1-0 defeat in Portugal that ensued saw them slip to the second place in the standings.

Fabio Capello is well aware of the importance of the match in Belfast since three points from Northern Ireland would see Russia return to the first place in the standings and still have a game in hand.

With the visitors likely to take the game very seriously, it is important to note William Hill pays 1.40 (2/5) on away win.

Russia arrive in Belfast at full strength, although Andrei Arshavin remains overlooked despite enjoying a bright start to the season.

Aleksandr Kokorin misses out through injury, but Yuri Zhirkov returns despite the fact he has yet to feature for Anzhi this season.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Akinfeev – Anyukov, Ignashevich, V. Berezutski, D. Kombarov – Shirokov, Denisov, Faizulin – Bystrov, Kerzhakov, Zhirkov.

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