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Northern Ireland will provide no surprises in Poland - and the hosts are gearing up to avenge their dramatic World Cup defeat at Windsor Park.
That's the verdict of Arsenal and Poland goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, who is relishing the prospect of the Group Three qualifying face-off in Chorzow on Saturday night.
Nigel Worthington's battlers caught the Poles — and calamity keeper Artur Boruc in particular — cold back in March with a wonderful 3-2 victory which could yet be pivotal when it comes to reaching South Africa next summer.
Fabianski is quick to credit Northern Ireland for their fighting spirit, although he believes Poland can prevail in what will be a make-or-break showdown for both teams on Saturday.
The Poles' World Cup campaign has been lukewarm to say the least, with defeats in Slovakia and Belfast leaving them surprisingly off the pace in fourth spot.
Lying three points behind Northern Ireland and, crucially, five behind group leaders Slovakia, they have it all to do — and quickly.
Realistically, Leo Beenhakker's outfit — ranked 40th in the world — require victory over both Northern Ireland and in Slovenia next Wednesday to resurrect their dreams of qualification.
The experienced Dutch coach is, predictably, under pressure to stop Worthington's men in their tracks.
Confident Fabianski, who will miss the game due to a knee injury, declared: “Will Northern Ireland surprise us? Not really, I don't think so.
“They have a small squad of players to choose from.
“We always expect a tough game as Northern Ireland have a very British-style approach, so we are familiar with that kind of style anyway.
“I'm really looking forward to the game and we still have a chance to qualify for the World Cup, which is good as we are in reasonable form.
“We have to be brave. The fans expect us to win and they will be very committed, as will the team.”
Although the Arsenal keeper is positive ahead of the crunch tie, he paid tribute to Northern Ireland for their performance against the Poles in March.
He explained: “I was very impressed with the way Northern Ireland played in Belfast, and we all expect them to play in a similar way in Poland.
“It was very difficult for us in Belfast that night. I like how Northern Ireland play with a lot of spirit and urgency.
“The pace of the game is always going to be fierce against them but we have dangerous players too.
“We don't have any real stars in the team, but as a unit we are strong,” 24-year-old Fabianski added. “It will be a very tough game. But we will make it hard in Poland, I am sure of that and I am confident we can win.
“At the moment it is not a good position for us in the group, so it makes the game absolutely important for us. Poland has a proud tradition in World Cups, so we want that to continue.”
With Fabianski out, Boruc is likely to start against Northern Ireland, even though Beenhakker chooses, on the other hand dropped him in the wake of his howler at Windsor Park.
The Celtic goalkeeper, however, had better watch out.
Fabianski, who succeeded Boruc at Legia Warsaw before moving to Arsenal, is eyeing the number one jersey, in the long term.
“I am the kind of person who wants to play and fight for my place for both club and country,” insists Fabianski.
“Artur has had his problems, but he is a very good goalkeeper. He has proved that over the years and is a big presence for Celtic.
“He has great experience and I think he has been fantastic for Poland.”
Fabianski, capped 14 times, laughs at the idea of their rivalry.
“Artur is the first choice for Poland and it is good competition for a place between us to be number one, so why not?
“The coach has a lot of good possibilities to choose from throughout the squad, not just the goalkeeping position.”
Arsene Wenger picked up the Pole for Arsenal, after he was voted Best Goalkeeper in the Polish Ekstraklasa in 2006 and 2007.
Now, Fabianski wants to repay his manager's faith, and is targeting Manuel Almunia's place after chalking up 18 appearances for the Gunners last term.
He said: “Of course I am looking forward to the new season.
“My international experience will be very helpful if I have the chance to feature in the Champions League for Arsenal.
“I played quite a lot of games last season so I am both hopeful and confident I can play a lot more now.
“I will do everything in my power to make it happen for me this season. Playing for Arsenal is a big thing for me,” he adds.
“Just by being at the club and learning from a great coach like Arsene Wenger, it is a motivation when you are working all the time with top players.”
Northern Ireland must hope that Fabianski's Poland team-mates don't share the same motivation at the Slaski Stadium.
