Russia coach Fabio Capello has taken the blame for the loss to Northern Ireland in their last World Cup qualifier but thinks the setback is a lesson for his side.

The eastern Europeans suffered a 1-0 defeat to Michael O'Neill's men at Windsor Park last month, Martin Paterson scoring the only goal of the game as Northern Ireland sealed their first Group F win at the sixth attempt.

The defeat was a minor setback for Capello's side, who lie just two points behind group leaders Portugal with a game in hand, although the Italian is the one who is shouldering the blame.

"I think we underestimated the opponent and that responsibility rests with me," he told a press conference.

"When you go out on the field without sufficient aggression and anger, that is what happened with us. I think that the match against Northern Ireland was a good lesson for all of us who will benefit."

Two wins over Luxembourg, the first of which will be played in Kazan on Friday before the return at the Stade Josy Barthel, is what Capello is demanding.

"We just have to win all the remaining matches," he added.

Portugal also know Northern Ireland are not to be taken lightly, with Paulo Bento's men fortunate to escape with a 1-1 draw in Porto in October last year, when Helder Postiga rescued a point 11 minutes from time to ensure the occasion of Cristiano Ronaldo's 100th cap was not sullied.

They travel to Belfast with Northern Ireland boss O'Neill hoping to upset the odds once more by refusing to give Portugal time and space.

"We don't want it to be a beautiful game of football if I'm 100% honest," O'Neill said.

"That's not how we're going to excel. They'd love the game to be open: they love space, they love to be able to play on the counter-attack.

"It's important they have a difficult night and that they know from the word go that they're going to have a difficult night."

Israel will attempt to stay hot on the heels of the top two in the group with victory over Azerbaijan in Ramat Gan, in a match to be played on Saturday.

The Blue and Whites, who are sweating on the fitness of Yuval Spungin, are just one point behind Russia and also have a game in hand over Portugal.