NI boss Lawrie Sanchez is looking for his first competitive win

The province play Azerbaijan at Windsor Park on Saturday 3 September, four days before England come to Belfast.

"The Azerbaijan game is more important in terms of our place in the group as they are a team we are capable of beating," said Sanchez.

"We should be looking to finish above Azerbaijan and must prepare properly."

Sanchez has his sights set on finishing fourth in Group Six qualifying, even though Northern Ireland have not won a competitive fixture since beating Malta in 2001.

"If we can beat Azerbaijan and avoid defeat against Wales, we can finish above both of them," said the NI manager.

"That will bring rewards in terms of better groups for future qualifying campaigns.

"The England game is a big ask, but Azerbaijan is one we are capable of taking three points from."

Sanchez said the recent 1-1 draw in a friendly against Malta had been disappointing, but that he had put the result to the back of his mind.

"It was not a great time for a friendly, a lot of the squad had not played a competitive game," said Sanchez.

"It was played like a pre-season friendly and you get results you would not normally get, take England's result in Denmark on the same night.