An arduous test awaits Malta this afternoon as Pierre Brincat's girls host England in a 2011 Women's World Cup qualifier.
The gulf in class between the two nations is reflected by their record in Group Five.
While England, beaten finalists to Germany in last year's Euro Championships, are on maximum points from four qualifiers, Malta are rooted to the bottom with zero points from five matches.
In the away match, played in October, Malta were on the receiving end of an 8-0 drubbing to England but the team have shown signs of improvement in their last qualifiers.
Last month, Natasha Pace broke the team's scoring duck when she found the net in a 5-1 defeat away to Turkey.
Brincat knows his team have a massive task on their hands today.
"The team's performance is more important than the result in this qualifier," Brincat told The Times.
"Everyone is aware of the quality and strength of our opponents. England came here with their best squad because this match is very important for their chances of finishing top of the group.
"The difficulty of this game requires a prudent approach from our side. I hope that our girls will put in a bold effort."
England are currently second in the group, three points behind leaders Spain but with two games in hand. A win would move England level with Spain on 15 points but with the latter enjoying a vastly superior goal difference, coach Hope Powell will surely urge his players to go on a scoring spree at the Centenary Stadium.
Brincat is wary of England's quest for a high-scoring victory.
"They are away to Spain after this game against us," he said.
"As Spain have a better goal difference, England will be determined to win with a heavy score here to increase their goal tally."
With 30 goals conceded and only one scored, Malta have had little to smile about in this qualifying campaign but Brincat hopes that the experience of playing against leading nations like England and Spain will benefit his charges.
"It's been a tough campaign so far," Brincat said.
"Malta's limitations will always be there but we can improve through experience. This is the first time our team have played against two of Europe's top nations but I believe the experience will stand our players, especially the ones coming through, in good stead."
Standings: Spain 15; England 12; Turkey 6; Austria 3; Malta 0.
Kick-off: 3 p.m., Centenary Stadium.
Referee: Yuliya Medvedeva (Kazakhstan).
The Squad
Goalkeepers: S. Costantino (Gozo), M. Zahra (Mġarr).
Defenders: M. Azzopardi (Hibs), R. Chircop (Mosta), R. D'Agostino (Mosta), C. Fenech (Birkirkara), N. Pace (Mosta), K. Parnis (Birkirkara), D. Theuma (Mosta), S. Zammit (Hibs).
Midfielders: Y. Carabott (Hibernians), R. Cuschieri (Birkirkara), M. Debono (Hibernians), A. Sammut (Mġarr), C. Vella White (Hibs).
Forwards: K. Saliba (Hibs), E. Xuereb (Gozo), G. Zahra (Melita).