World champions Spain and perennial underachieving title contenders England face tough 2014 World Cup qualifying away trips to their respective group leaders France and Montenegro on Tuesday.
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Defeats for both would see them trail by five points with only three games remaining for France and Spain while Montenegro and England would have four each to play.
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For Spain it is uncharted waters to be in such a position in their qualifiers and coach Vicente Del Bosque will be looking for a much sharper performance than the one which saw them held by unfancied Finland last Friday.
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However, Del Bosque's team will face a France side that looks to be a vastly improved version under Didier Deschamps from the one that produced a limp performance in a 2-0 defeat then coached by his fellow 1998 World Cup winner Laurent Blanc in last year's Euro 2012 quarterfinals.
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But Del Bosque, who has now passed Laszlo Kubala's record of 68 matches at the helm, is nothing if not a reassuring presence and is not about to push the panic button just yet.
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"There are still four games to go and it is still in our hands," he said. "We must not be pessimistic. We will be going to France to try and win."
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Spain defender Sergio Ramos was also looking for a more memorable 101st appearance for his country than the draw with Finland in which he scored his side's goal.
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"We will be facing a great team on Tuesday but we can beat them and it's that mentality we'll take there," said Ramos, who at 26 became the youngest Spaniard to reach a century of caps.
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Spain will be without Jordi Alba but will be hoping that key midfield duo Xavi Hernandez and Xabi Alonso return after missing the Finnish match.
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While Finland relied on putting every man behind the ball in a sterling defensive effort Deschamps -whose side beat Georgia 3-1 on Friday - will not repeat those tactics.
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"The fact we are top will not change my intentions because it will certainly not alter the Spanish attitude, which is to monopolise the ball and to win the match," said Deschamps.
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"It is not Friday's results that are going to modify my main line of strategy. I do not see myself preparing my team by telling them: "'Defend, defend'".
The away win would be a very difficult thing to achieve when they file out to face their opponents today. It would be tough for both of them
Spain has a tougher opposition compared to that of England. I dont know if Spain but i can vouch for England.