Kevin Muscat says Sydney FC's A-League winning streak will be ended on Australia Day by his Melbourne Victory side, should they arrive at Etihad Stadium with the right attitude.
And he believes the Sky Blues know it.
In comments designed to heighten his players' sense of occasion, Muscat has upped the ante for the clash of first against second.
"We know that if we put every brick in place, we'll beat them," he said on Wednesday.
"If we prepare well, which we have, if we turn up [and] if we deliver our best, it's good enough to beat them. We know that and they know it also."
Victory will want to be at their best.
The Sky Blues have answered every challenge thrown at them this season to sit on top of the table by eight points over Victory.
That gap will widen to 11 points should they earn a first win in Melbourne over Victory since Australia Day three years ago.
But Muscat refused to countenance how they'd reel in a gap that large with 10 matches remaining, instead stating that as of now, he "believes we can catch them."
"At the moment, they're backing up what they're preaching," he said.
"Hopefully, that will stop tomorrow night and then there will be another challenge laid down."
Sydney edged Victory 2-1 in their previous meeting this year after David Carney scored a late winner which Muscat believed came from a handball.
"Structurally, I don't think they've changed a hell of a lot [since then]; they've got better at what they want to achieve," he said.
"We were very good and we should have been two or three up before that (Carney) decision.
"They've still got 40 percent to improve according to Arnie. It'll be difficult to beat them once they get to 100 percent," Muscat concluded, tongue-in-cheek.
Sydney will be without defender Seb Ryall (hamstring) and form full-back Rhyan Grant (suspension), with midfielder Josh Brillante likely to deputise at right-back.
Recently signed defender Jordy Buijs is also a chance to be thrown in for his A-League debut.
Muscat will need to ponder the make-up of his squad with all players available.
He is likely to reward the players, who helped the club to a six-game winning streak but were excused starting roles in their last-out loss to the Perth Glory, despite saying he was pleased with their performance.
That means a likely return for Marco Rojas, Jason Geria, Oliver Bozanic and Fahid Ben Khalfallah.
Whatever he decides, Muscat believes that when he sends his final eleven out to play, his game plan will stack up.
"They understand what's required to win the game," he said.
"Everything lays now in the execution."