Group A leaders Germany will be looking for a seventh straight triumph over Austria and with it a ticket to UEFA EURO 2012 when the neighbours lock horns in Gelsenkirchen.
Germany can qualify for the finals of UEFA EURO 2012 with an eighth successive Group A win but Austria will have other ideas as they look to knock their neighbours off course when the teams meet in Gelsenkirchen.
Ten points clear of second-ranked Belgium, only third-placed Turkey can overtake Joachim Löw's Germany, who will be through regardless of their result if Guus Hiddink's side fails to beat Kazakhstan.
Germany defeated Austria 2-1 in Vienna in their first Group A encounter on 3 June thanks to a late strike in each half from Mario Gomez. Austria levelled thanks to an Arne Friedrich own goal but they were powerless to thwart the runaway section leaders, Gomez heading in a Philipp Lahm cross in the final minute.
Paired with their neighbours in qualifying for the first time since German reunification, Austria are striving to put an end to a grim run – they have lost their last six games against Germany since a goalless draw on 18 November 1992 in the nations' first meeting since the former East and West Germany came together again.
The neighbours met at UEFA EURO 2008, when Michael Ballack's splendid free-kick in Vienna secured a 1-0 victory for Germany. Defeat ended the tournament co-hosts' hopes of progressing beyond the group stage.
Four of Austria's six recent defeats in this fixture have been in Vienna, with their last win at home coming in their final meeting with West Germany on 29 October 1986 − by an impressive 4-1 scoreline. That was their first home success against their neighbours (excepting games against East Germany) since a 5-0 triumph on 14 September 1931.
• Austria have played 34 matches against Germany and West Germany, and came out on top 3-2 in their first fixture, a friendly in Vienna on 7 June 1908. There have been 21 German victories to Austria's seven.
Austria also beat Germany 5-1 at the 1915 Olympics in Stockholm, and had the better of their 11 encounters before the second world war with six wins to Germany's three – a number which includes a 3-2 success in Naples at the 1934 FIFA World Cup.
In the days of West Germany, Austria's record against their neighbours was a worrying W2 D4 L13. Their six matches against East Germany ended W1 D4 L1.
Austria's only competitive post-war victory against their neighbours – a 3-2 triumph in the second group stage of the 1978 World Cup – featured two goals from striker Hans Krankl and confirmed West Germany's elimination.
Four years later the two teams met at the 1982 World Cup. Germany's 1-0 victory enabled both teams to progress to the second round at the expense of Algeria, who had already completed their games.
Germany coach Löw has experience of Austrian league football, having led FC Tirol Innsbruck to the 2001/02 title before the club was dissolved due to bankruptcy.
Also a one-time Tirol coach, Austria boss Dietmar Constantini coached in Germany in 1997/98, leading 1. FSV Mainz 05 in the 2. Bundesliga.
Germany are one of only three nations with perfect records in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying along with the Netherlands and world and European champions Spain. They boast the best goal difference in the competition: +19.
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