Roy Hodgson says Slovenia will arrive at Wembley Stadium on Saturday believing they can get a victory.
Three points separate the top two teams in Group E, with England leading the way after a 100 per cent start to their European Qualifying campaign..
They are also yet to conceded a goal, and though Slovenia were beaten in September by Estonia, Hodgson knows they will provide a stern test under the arch.
England v Slovenia
European Qualifier
5pm, Saturday 15 November
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
www.TheFA.com/tickets
Live on ITV1
"They've beaten Switzerland, they've beaten Lithuania. Strangely, they lost against Estonia to a last-minute goal. Having watched the game back they probably deserved to win it," said Hodgson.
"We're talking about a team who have started this qualification campaign very well. Slovenia will come here believing they can beat us.
"We've watched them a lot and tried to give as good a picture to the players of what to expect. We have made it clear to the players that this is a good team, they can play football."
Hodgson has also recognised the visitors will offer an attacking threat, with Milivoje Novakovic their main weapon having bagged all three of their qualifying goals so far.
Roy Hodgson at Wembley
"We need to make sure that, from the very first minute, we are at it and using our strengths to ask questions of them.
"They have some dangerous attacking players, they are at good clubs. There are quite a few in Russia. One of their best players, Kevin Kampl, is playing at Red Bull Salzburg.
"Even going back to when England played them in 2010, their centre-forward Novakovic is still a good player. He's 35 now, playing in Japan."
He added: "So I think they'll be a much more severe test for us than the last two matches we've had.
"There is no doubt, with the players we have, they have incredible strengths going forward and can ask questions of any defenders."
