Israel coach Dror Kashtan has vowed to heap further misery on under-fire England boss Steve McClaren by avoiding defeat at Wembley.
McClaren has described the clash with Israel as a 'must-win' fixture, with England currently sitting in fourth in Group E, three points behind Kashtan's second-placed side.
Israel, who are bidding to qualify for their first major international tournament since 1970, are desperate to prolong England's winless run at the new Wembley Stadium to three games.
McClaren is without the injured Gary Neville, David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney, while Peter Crouch is suspended for England's first competitive fixture at their new home.
And Kashtan is convinced Israel are playing England at just the right time.
He said: "The England national team are always a strong side especially at home.
"For me England are the favourites for the game but on a given day, in a given match, everyone is vulnerable.
"I'm absolutely sure our players will be concentrated and prepared for the game - they know they can do something in this game that no other Israeli team have ever done in the past.
"England are on 14 points but have played one less game - Russia are on 15 points but have played one less game and we're on 17 points but have played a game more so there's a lot of meaning in this game.
"I believe in the players and I know they will work as one unit group tomorrow, a draw or more would serve the purposes of Israeli football."
Kashtan has further ignited a potentially explosive meeting with England at Wembley by telling McClaren to stop complaining about his injury problems.
The Israeli boss believes England have an avalanche of quality stars to call upon even without the likes of Lampard, Rooney and Beckham.
Kashtan said: "Pressure is part and parcel of the job for every international coach ahead of an important game.
"We are used to facing pressure and criticism from the media but I'm focused on the game.
"I'm sure my counterpart Steve McClaren will be the same - the England team are stacked full of quality players and if one player doesn't play they have excellent replacements.
"We are preparing for England knowing there are advantages and disadvantages."
Israel, who are bidding to qualify for their first major international tournament since 1970, are desperate to prolong England's winless run at the new Wembley Stadium to three games.
McClaren is without the injured Gary Neville, David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney, while Peter Crouch is suspended for England's first competitive fixture at their new home.
And Kashtan is convinced Israel are playing England at just the right time.
He said: "The England national team are always a strong side especially at home.
"For me England are the favourites for the game but on a given day, in a given match, everyone is vulnerable.
"I'm absolutely sure our players will be concentrated and prepared for the game - they know they can do something in this game that no other Israeli team have ever done in the past.
"England are on 14 points but have played one less game - Russia are on 15 points but have played one less game and we're on 17 points but have played a game more so there's a lot of meaning in this game.
"I believe in the players and I know they will work as one unit group tomorrow, a draw or more would serve the purposes of Israeli football."
Kashtan has further ignited a potentially explosive meeting with England at Wembley by telling McClaren to stop complaining about his injury problems.
The Israeli boss believes England have an avalanche of quality stars to call upon even without the likes of Lampard, Rooney and Beckham.
Kashtan said: "Pressure is part and parcel of the job for every international coach ahead of an important game.
"We are used to facing pressure and criticism from the media but I'm focused on the game.
"I'm sure my counterpart Steve McClaren will be the same - the England team are stacked full of quality players and if one player doesn't play they have excellent replacements.
"We are preparing for England knowing there are advantages and disadvantages."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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