Czech Republic vs Northern Ireland - No change in Northern Ireland

Michael O'Neill will not deviate from the formula which took Northern Ireland to their first ever European Championship finals when he plots their route to a World Cup in Russia.

Two months after returning home from France to a heroes' welcome, the Northern Irish return to action in the Czech Republic at the start of a qualification process for the next major international tournament in two years' time.

O'Neill's side are viewed differently on the continent following their run to the last 16 at the Euros and it was telling that new Czech coach Karel Jarolim not only spoke of their strengths but also pinpointed Steven Davis and Kyle Lafferty as considerable threats.

One of the dangers Jarolim highlighted was Northern Ireland's ability to trouble teams at set-pieces, with one of their two goals in France coming from a free-kick, and O'Neill insists his side's style in this campaign will not differ from the one which has brought success.

Put to him that maybe teams were working to nullify their threat at set-pieces, O'Neill replied: "It's been something which has been said about us but I'm never going to apologise to anyone for scoring off a corner or free-kick. I see the best teams in the world score from corners and free-kicks so we will make sure that our set-pieces are of a very high standard.

"We have players that attack the ball well; we have good delivery. It's a big part of our game. If teams concede free-kicks in the defensive third and give away corners it's up to us to try and punish them. We've had that continuity with the players to further develop that.

"We were able to do specific set-piece sessions in the evening leading into this game. We've had two sessions alone on set-pieces. The players are very focused on that.

"We watched the best games in the world and often the game is decided off a set-piece. It would be foolhardy of us not to try and maximise those opportunities."

O'Neill may have to alter his formation in Prague as a groin injury will prevent Craig Cathcart from lining up in a three centre-back system alongside Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley.

There will be plenty of change from their opponents, who are without experienced duo Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky.

Czech boss Jarolim said: "They definitely have dangerous players, they are dangerous at set-pieces and the centre-backs are great.

"They score a lot of goals in the air and I think something like 70 per cent of their goals come from headers so it is clear they rely on that.

"They are strong on the counter-attack as well and it works for them. We have to be careful with our tackles so we don't give them a chance in their set-pieces.