Iain Dowie expects Windsor Park to be "bonkers" for the visit of Germany on Monday night.
Michael O'Neill's side sit top of Group C but face their sternest test to date against Joachim Low's visitors.
Germany fell to a 4-2 defeat to Netherlands in Hamburg on Friday night, leaving them three points behind Northern Ireland going into Monday's showdown.
The four-time World Cup winners will determined to bounce back at the first attempt, but former striker Dowie believes the home side could cause a shock and inflict more misery on Low and his players.
Dowie, who will be working at the game for Sky Sports, also expects Windsor Park to be rocking.
"Northern Ireland have great momentum, and Michael got some players game time last Thursday night (against Luxembourg), which was important," Dowie told Belfast Live Sport.
"I don't think Germany will be delighted to be coming to Belfast. They'll think this is a difficult one."
He added: "I have a feeling something is going to happen. The atmosphere is building so much. Anyone that can get there should get there.
"I have a sneaky suspicion something will happen.
"If we were to get the first goal, goodness knows what would happen. Even if we don't it will still be bonkers inside the stadium.
"We will be unbelievably competitive as we always are. If we win, I don't think I will have seen a night like it because the roof will most definitely come off."
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