O’Neill recently made his senior competitive debut for Arsenal during the week when he featured in the starting line-up against Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup. The teenager will now be hoping to secure his maiden inclusion in a Premier League matchday squad under Mikel Arteta.

It remains to be confirmed whether the versatile youngster will be named among the substitutes or selected as the travelling extra man for the fixture. O’Neill has consistently impressed coaches with his performances for the club at youth level since arriving in north London.

Capable of operating effectively as a winger on either flank, in a central midfield role, or further forward as a striker, the Northern Ireland youth international provides valuable tactical flexibility. His rapid progression through the academy ranks has caught the attention of the senior coaching staff.

Arsenal head into the high-profile fixture at Anfield without the services of fellow young prospect Max Dowman. Dowman is unavailable for selection due to a domestic suspension following a previous disciplinary ruling in youth competition.

The visitors will be aiming to secure a positive result against Liverpool to maintain their momentum at the summit of the Premier League table. O'Neill's inclusion highlights Arsenal's continued commitment to integrating promising academy talent into the senior setup as the fixture schedule intensifies.

Cliftonville enter the final as league champions, having secured the title earlier this season. Their path to the cup final included a 3-2 victory over Lisburn Rangers in the second round, followed by comfortable 3-0 wins in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals.

Glentoran’s route to the decider began with a dominant 7-0 win against Comber Rec. They subsequently edged past Linfield 2-1 in the quarter-finals before a solitary goal from Gracie Conway secured a 1-0 win over Lisburn in the semi-final stage.

The two clubs have been the dominant forces in Northern Irish women's football this year. Cliftonville have maintained a perfect record against Glentoran on the pitch, winning all four of their competitive meetings during the current campaign.

Despite their on-field dominance, Cliftonville were denied a potential domestic treble earlier this year. The club was stripped of the League Cup title after it was determined they had fielded two ineligible players during their 4-0 victory in the July final.

Following the ruling, the League Cup result was officially overturned and awarded to Glentoran as a 3-0 victory. Cliftonville manager Brendan Lynch described the situation as a technicality and expressed a desire to move forward, focusing entirely on the upcoming cup final.

Glentoran manager Kim Turner acknowledged the unusual circumstances surrounding the League Cup, admitting that her side had lost the match on the pitch. She noted that her team remains focused on the challenge of competing against a well-drilled Cliftonville side.

Manager Brendan Lynch highlighted the intensity expected in the final, stating that both teams have prepared thoroughly for the showpiece event. He anticipates a high-quality battle between two sides that have consistently pushed each other throughout the season.

Kim Turner emphasised the importance of mentality for Saturday's encounter. She suggested that the outcome will likely depend on which team can execute their game plan effectively, win individual battles, and maintain focus during the decisive moments of the match.

A significant narrative surrounding the final is the retirement of long-serving Glentoran defender Kelly Bailie. The veteran player is set to conclude a remarkable 30-year career with the club following the conclusion of Saturday's match at Windsor Park.

Manager Turner paid tribute to Bailie’s influence on the squad, encouraging her players to embody the defender's work ethic and character. The team is aiming to secure the trophy as a fitting send-off for one of the club's most decorated figures.

Cliftonville’s squad features key contributors such as sisters Caitlin and Kirsty McGuinness. Their performances have been instrumental in the team’s league success and their progression through the cup rounds, providing a consistent attacking threat throughout the season.

The match will be broadcast live via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, with coverage beginning at 19:15 BST. The final itself is scheduled to kick off at 19:30 BST at the national stadium.

Former Northern Ireland defender Julie Nelson will join presenter Nicola McCarthy for the pre-match build-up. Expert analysis and co-commentary will be provided by Northern Ireland manager Michael McArdle and former international Helen McKenna, alongside commentator Barry Greene.

Cliftonville secured their league title following a 1-1 draw between Glentoran and Linfield in September. They celebrated the achievement on the final day of the league season by defeating Glentoran 4-1, further highlighting their strength in domestic competition.

The rivalry between the two clubs has defined the season, with both managers recognising the quality within the opposing ranks. The final represents the last opportunity for either side to claim major silverware before the conclusion of the 2026 campaign.

Tactical discipline is expected to be a primary focus for both managers. With both teams familiar with each other's styles, the game is anticipated to be a closely contested affair decided by fine margins and individual moments of quality.

The Northern Irish women's game has seen significant growth, and the final is viewed as a showcase for the talent within the domestic league. Both clubs have invested in their structures, contributing to a high standard of play throughout the year.

As the final approaches, the atmosphere in Belfast is building for what is expected to be a significant crowd at Windsor Park. The match serves as a celebration of the season's efforts and a high-stakes conclusion for both sets of players.

The outcome of the match will determine the final trophy of the season. For Cliftonville, it is a chance to defend their cup title, while Glentoran look to add to their League Cup success and end their season on a high note.

The first leg, held at Inver Park on Friday, saw Portugal justify their status as favourites by securing a comfortable four-goal victory. Following that result, McArdle initially suggested that the prospect of reaching the tournament had shifted from improbable to impossible.

However, speaking ahead of Tuesday's return fixture in Portimao, the 48-year-old manager expressed a more optimistic outlook. He believes that an early goal could shift the momentum and potentially change the complexion of the tie entirely.

"We're always positive, and from that perspective it's another opportunity for us to learn and put ourselves toe-to-toe with them," McArdle said. "If we end up in front first or how the game goes, it could turn back from impossible to improbable again."

In the first encounter, Portugal established dominance early through an opening goal from Telma Encarnacao. Jessica Silva doubled the lead shortly after, and a misfortune for Rebecca Holloway, who scored an own goal, left Northern Ireland trailing by three within the first half-hour.

Despite the heavy scoreline, Northern Ireland showed signs of improvement after the interval. They appeared to be the stronger side for a period following a red card for Portugal's Catarina Amado, yet they were unable to convert their pressure into a goal.

The visitors ultimately capitalised on their opportunities, with Fatima Pinto adding a fourth goal from long range to seal the victory. McArdle acknowledged that his side struggled to manage the gaps between their centre-backs and the inexperienced full-back pairing of Jane McMaster and Emily Cassap.

"The immediate reflection was misfortune with the scoreline, and how it was a bit harsh," McArdle noted regarding the first leg. "Reflection-wise we still feel that way, however there's areas that we need to improve upon before the game."

The manager remains without striker Cora Chambers for the second leg, as she was sent off during the closing stages of the match in Larne. Otherwise, the squad has a full complement of players available for selection in Portugal.

The first leg saw McArdle hand international debuts to three players: Linfield defender Jane McMaster, Sparta Prague forward Kess Elmore, and 16-year-old Cliftonville midfielder Charlotte Havern. These selections reflect the manager's commitment to integrating youth into the senior setup.

Even if Northern Ireland manage to produce a significant turnaround in Portimao, their path to the 2027 Women's World Cup remains exceptionally difficult. The winners of this tie are expected to face Iceland, who currently hold a 4-0 lead over Croatia in their own play-off.

Furthermore, due to their current UEFA ranking, Northern Ireland would likely face an additional inter-confederation play-off even if they were to progress through the next round. The tournament itself is scheduled to take place in Brazil next summer.

McArdle, who took charge of the team in March, emphasised that his focus extends beyond the immediate challenge of the World Cup qualifiers. He believes the team is making tangible progress during his six-month tenure.

"You've seen that with the new players, the amount of debutants and the amount of youth players that come into the squad over the three camps I've been involved now," the manager explained regarding the team's development.

The manager highlighted that the squad is currently in a strong position as they look toward future competitions. Following the conclusion of the current play-off campaign, the team will shift their attention to qualifying for the European Championships.

"We're now in a really strong place, and from the next window onwards we'll start to prepare and focus on trying to qualify for the Euros," McArdle added. "That'll be the most important piece after Tuesday, but we'll have one last swing."

The second leg in Portimao is scheduled for Tuesday evening. Fans in Northern Ireland can follow the action via BBC iPlayer, with live commentary and updates also available through the BBC Sport website and mobile application.

The match represents a significant learning opportunity for the younger members of the squad as they gain experience against high-level international opposition. McArdle is keen to see how his players respond to the challenge of playing away from home.

As the team prepares for the final whistle of this particular campaign, the focus remains on maintaining a professional standard. The coaching staff is looking for a disciplined performance to close out the current cycle of matches.

Ultimately, while the odds remain heavily stacked against them, the Northern Ireland squad is determined to end the series on a positive note. The match serves as a final test of their resilience before the next phase of international football begins.