By Ian Walsh Former Wales international

Wales must beat Northern Ireland on Wednesday, of that there is no doubt - any other result will be unacceptable for Mark Hughes' team.

You have to win your home games in these qualifying matches, especially against those sides deemed to be lesser countries.

Azerbaijan, although improved, still fall into that category and Wales' draw in Baku on Saturday adds to the pressure to win at the Millennium Stadium.

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One thing for sure is that there will be no surprise element for the two teams on Wednesday night, as Wales and Northern Ireland know each other well.

The players and coaches know each other and their styles of play, but that doesn't mean it won't be very exciting.

The games between Wales, Northern Ireland and England in Group Six will be very passionate affairs.

When I played in the Home Internationals the players were more determined to win, to get one up on each other and take bragging rights back to their clubs.

The 20-year absence of a competitive match between Wales and Northern Ireland is a sad gap, but it makes Wednesday night's game very special.

Wales have got to look to win the match but Mark Hughes knows he still has to keep things tight at first.

He may start with Jason Koumas and John Oster on the flanks, and get Robbie Savage and Gary Speed to play more of a holding role in midfield.

Wales have a huge advantage with being able to field John Hartson and Craig Bellamy as a pair up front, but strikers must get service at home.

Wales may start with Jason Koumas and John Oster on the flanks

If Ben Thatcher starts at left-back it will give more balance to the side and give Oster and Koumas the freedom to get forward.

That will also allow Danny Gabbidon to move back into his preferred central defence spot, from where he can cover the left-back position when Thatcher forays forward.

Lawrie Sanchez has done a good job since taking over Northern Ireland and there are some parallels with Hughes' position when he took over Wales.

But the similarities end there, as Sanchez cannot call on the depth of playing talent or star performers that Hughes can.

Sanchez has made them determined and harder to beat, picking matches against weaker nations to help rebuild confidence after their 16-game winless run.

But to lose 3-0 at home to Poland on Saturday was a real body blow and Sanchez has a task to quickly restore confidence.

Northern Ireland will certainly emerge determined on Wednesday night and Wales have got to match them for passion to claim three points.