The thought of facing a Malta team whose chief objective will be to shut up shop is not worrying Hristo Stoichkov, the national coach of Bulgaria.
Stoichkov, widely regarded as the best player ever to emerge from the Balkan country, expects his team to collect three points regardless of the defensive tactics Horst Heese is likely to adopt.
"I have reason to believe that Malta will use defensive tactics against us," Stoichkov told a news conference.
"My players know how to play against teams who put eight players in defence and therefore I still expect Bulgaria to beat Malta."
Although Bulgaria are widely tipped to see off Malta today, Stoichkov warned that Malta's 7-0 defeat to Sweden in their opening qualifier cannot be taken as an indication that today's match will be a stroll in the park for his team.
"Malta suffered seven goals against Sweden but we shouldn't attach too much importance to that match," Stoichkov said.
"In football, nothing surprises me any more. Malta may have lost 7-0 to Sweden but then they drew 0-0 with Iceland. I have watched videos of the Maltese team and I know all I need to know about them."
Pressed to release more information about his team's selection for today's clash, Stoichkov said he will only name his formation one hour before kick-off.
Bulgaria took their tally to four points in Group Eight last Saturday after coming back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw away to Croatia in front of a 30,000 crowd.
Stoichkov praised his players for their bold comeback and called on them to produce the same display against Malta.
"I was satisfied with our performance against Croatia and I hope the players will produce the same level of commitment in our next game," the former Barcelona talisman said.
Bulgaria struck twice in the last 12 minutes through Martin Petrov and Dimitar Berbatov after Darijo Srna had given Croatia a two-goal lead inside the opening 32 minutes.
Stoichkov has seen enough from his team to predict that they will reach the finals in Germany in two years' time.
"I am confident that Bulgaria will make it to the World Cup finals," he said.
For striker Valeri Bojinov, today's fixture has added significance as memories of his short stint with the U-14 team of Pietà Hotspurs in 1999 will surely linger through his mind during the 90 minutes.
Bojinov, 19, has so far played twice in this World Cup qualifying campaign, helping Bulgaria to a 3-1 away win at Iceland on September 4 and last week's draw with Croatia in Zagreb.