Overview
After starting their qualifying campaign with a 3-1 win over Luxembourg, Northern Ireland lost the same score to Germany in early September and were 3 points behind leaders Slovakia.
With the hope of being able to turn the situation around to win a ticket directly to the World Cup finals next year, Northern Ireland has made a big step forward with a brave performance when hosting Slovakia.
Coach Michael O'Neill's team took an early lead thanks to an own goal by the opponent, before Trai Hume scored to seal the victory at the end of the match. This victory of Northern Ireland created a brilliant celebration atmosphere at Windsor Park.
This result makes the situation in Group A dramatic when the 3 teams are all with 6 points after half. Germany - the team that just defeated Luxembourg 4-0 - temporarily leads thanks to a better goal difference.
Therefore, the last three matches promise to be real finals to compete for a ticket to the next round, while the second-placed team will have to enter the play-off round.
Before the rematch against Slovakia in November, Northern Ireland - a team looking forward to participating in the World Cup for the first time in 40 years - will have to host a four-time world champion team.
After losing to Germany last month, the home team has lost all 10 of their most recent matches against this opponent. However, O'Neill still hopes to create a surprise to commemorate his 100th international match.
After a slow start in the most recent World Cup qualifying campaign, Germany has returned strongly and is currently at the top of Group A.
Although they beat Northern Ireland in Cologne, it was still an unconvincing performance. Nadiem Amiri and Florian Wirtz scored in the last 20 minutes to help Germany win hard.
In the most recent victory against Luxembourg, Germany took an early lead thanks to a free kick from David Raum. In the 20th minute, they were awarded a penalty, while Luxembourg had only 10 players left on the field.
Captain Joshua Kimmich converted that penalty to complete his double, while Serge Gnabry also registered his name on the scoreboard.
Under great pressure, Julian Nagelsmann will realize that his team must make a breakthrough, because only the top team in each group can advance straight to the finals next year.
Therefore, Germany must try to get the maximum points in Belfast, where they have won all three of their most recent visits.
Personnel situation
Captain Conor Bradley was Northern Ireland's brightest star in the victory over Slovakia. However, he will be absent from this important match due to suspension. Oxford United's Brodie Spencer is likely to be given a replacement.
Spencer missed the first leg last month through injury, but he is now ready to return to the starting lineup. Meanwhile, first-choice goalkeeper Pierce Charles is still sidelined with a shoulder injury. Therefore, experienced goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell will continue to start in the familiar 3-4-2-1 formation.
On the other side, Germany also lacks many important pillars, most notably Kai Havertz (knee), Jamal Musiala ( ankle), Antonio Rudiger (hamstring) and Marc-Andre ter Stegen (back).
Niclas Fullkrug's calf injury opens up the opportunity for Nick Woltemade to take on the striker position of the away team. Serge Gnabry is likely to partner Newcastle player and Florian Wirtz of Liverpool in attack.
Expected lineup:
Northern Ireland: Peacock-Farrell, Hume, McNair, Toal, Spencer, McCann, S. Charles, Devenny, Galbraith, Price, Reid.
Germany: Baumann, Kimmich, Anton, Tah, Raum, Pavlovic, Goretzka, Adeyemi, Gnabry, Wirtz, Woltemade.
The match between Northern Ireland and Germany takes place at 1:45 am on October 14 (Vietnam time).