Fabio Capello has demanded his England players put down a 2010 World Cup qualification marker by beating Euro 2008 winners Spain in Seville on Wednesday.
And the Italian has every right to feel bullish about the nation's prospects of an international upset if the form lines are an indicator.
The Three Lions ended 2008 on a high with victory over Germany in Berlin and Capello is urging his players to carry on that momentum at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium ahead of a critical juncture on the road to South Africa.
"We want to see players who have no fear and plenty of confidence," he said.
"This is a very important step for me. We have to play against all the teams in the world convinced we can win."
England have taken a maximum 12 points from their opening four Group Six qualification games, but Spain have proved they can finally mix it again with the international big-boys and have the upper hand against Capello's men.
They have also started their Group Five campaign in ominous fashion having also won their opening four qualifying games.
They beat England at Old Trafford in February 2007 and at the Bernabeu in Madrid in November 2004, and this is reflected in the latest football odds.
They will be without influential Barcelona defender Carles Puyol because of a thigh injury, but still boast the likes of Liverpool superstar Fernando Torres, Valencia dangerman David Villa and influential Nou Camp playmakers Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta in their ranks.
David Beckham stands on the brink of equaling World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore's outfield appearances record of 108, while in-form West Ham striker Carlton Cole could start if Emile Heskey fails to recover from an ankle problem.
James Milner's impressive club form for Aston Villa has put him in the frame for a starting spot, although Michael Carrick and Gareth Barry will feel they did enough against Germany to warrant another start.
Victory against Vicente Del Bosque's men is by no means a formality, but England, as the latest football betting odds would suggest, could spring a surprise.
Nick Walsh writes features and betting previews for Betfair.
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