Austria coach Josef Hickersberger believes his side have a very good chance of causing a major shock and beating Germany on Monday.

Hickersberger is confident his side can repeat Austria's memorable day in 1978 when they beat West Germany 3-2 in Cordoba to knock the World Cup holders out.

"With the support of the fans to inspire us, it won't be a hopeless case against Germany," he said.

"I don't have a calculator with me but I would say the likelihood of us winning is around 40 per cent, and I think 40 per cent represents a very good chance.

"We are looking forward to this game. If Germany play like they played against Croatia then we can beat them.

"Germany are not as good as they were during the World Cup in 2006 and this time they don't have home advantage. If they take the game to us we will try to overcome them and go on the attack.

"History is repeating itself for me. In 1989, just a few days after the fall of the Berlin Wall, we played a decisive World Cup qualifier against East Germany here in the Ernst Happel stadium in Vienna. We won 3-0."