Northern Ireland will begin their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign this week with back-to-back home games against Estonia and Belarus.

With Holland and Germany the other two nations in Group C, getting off to a winning start looks to be a minimum requirement if this campaign is not to be a repeat of last year’s deeply frustrating Nations League.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at five talking points around Thursday’s game.

Friendly fixtures?

The draw may have been harsh on Northern Ireland but the fixture list has arguably been kind, with home and away games against Estonia and Belarus first up. Keeping Holland and Germany off the board until the autumn, and starting the campaign at Windsor Park, gives Northern Ireland a strong chance of picking up early points and building some momentum before the tougher asks to come. On the flip side, however, if Michael O’Neill’s side cannot take the chances in front of them this week, they may find their campaign is effectively over before it has begun.

Pent-up frustration

Northern Ireland v Austria – UEFA Nations League – Group B3 – Windsor Park
Austria’s late goal left Northern Ireland without a point in the Nations League (Brian Lawless/PA)

Developing style

Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland – International Friendly – Aviva Stadium
Michael O’Neill has changed his side’s tactics in recent months (Brian Lawless/PA)

Match fitness

It is not new for a large proportion of the Northern Ireland team to struggle for regular playing time at club level, but the problem seems particularly acute at present. Captain Steven Davis left Southampton for Rangers on loan in January in the hope of playing more games but that is yet to materialise, while goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell, first choice for O’Neill for the Nations League last year, has lost his place at Leeds this year.

Come a long way

Soccer – UEFA Euro 2012 – Qualifying – Group C – Estonia v Northern Ireland – Le Coq Arena
Northern Ireland played Estonia in 2011, losing home and away (Joosep Martinson/PA)