John Toshack has warned his Wales side that Saturday's opponents Slovakia are the dark horses of a difficult European Championship qualifying group.
The two sides clash at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in a game each know they must win to retain serious interest in Group D - the same group the Republic of Ireland are in.
Wales are already six points behind leaders Germany and the Czech Republic, while Slovakia are still reeling from a damaging home defeat against the Czechs last time out.
But Toshack, without the injured Ryan Giggs and several other senior men, said: 'Slovakia are the dark horses in this group, even if they slipped up in their last game with the Czechs in Bratislava. I saw that match and the Czechs looked a superb professional side.
'The occasion seemed to get on top of Slovakia that night, but previously they had beaten France and Germany and only failed in the play-offs against Spain to get to the World Cup finals.
'We are under no illusions, they are tough opposition. But these are home games we must win, with Cyprus here on Wednesday. People felt that the group would produce Germany and the Czechs qualifying, but I have never felt it was as clear cut as that.
'Slovakia can challenge strongly. They will be disappointed with losing at home to the Czechs, so they will be really determined to put that right against us.'
Crystal Palace's Carl Fletcher is one of those ruled out of tomorrow's game. The midfielder, ever-present for Wales under Toshack, has been having treatment on a knee problem all week and is not likely to join up with the squad until today after a practice match for his club yesterday.
