The New Saints head coach Craig Harrison says his side will be looking to make the most of being at home in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier.
Welsh champions Saints face Sabah of Azerbaijan in the first qualifying round with the first leg in Baku on 7 July.
The return leg is at Park Hall a week later on 14 July.
“It’s really important that we’re in the game when it comes back to the second leg,” Harrison told BBC Sport Wales.
“I don’t think anyone would particularly enjoy coming here and playing us, because against anyone, we fancy our chances at home. We’ve had some fantastic performances here.”
Masazir-based Sabah – who were formed in 2017 – are set to play in European competition for the fourth season in a row.
The Owls won the Azerbaijan Premier League for the first time last season having finished nine points clear of 12-time champions Qarabag.
“We’ve got our work cut out but we’re looking forward to the challenge,” Harrison said.
“They’re obviously a very good team – they beat Qarabag to the league by nine points and Qarabag beat Benfica in the Champions League last year and only got beaten 3-2 by Newcastle at St James’ Park.
“So we realise it’s going to be a challenge and it’s obviously a logistical challenge as well.
“In the heat, it’s going to be 30-35 degrees.”
The former Premier League player says the club has “really good sports scientists and physios” and will cope with that.
“We regularly do hydration tests before training every day, just to make sure everyone’s hydrated.
“We’ll be doing that all the way through to kick-off in the first game.
“So it’s important that these other little factors go into it and other little bits and pieces that we need to take.
“It’s a new place, a new challenge, and the opportunity to give our best shot of trying to come back with the game still open.”
Saints became the first Welsh domestic side to reach the group stage of a European competition in 2024 when they featured in the Uefa Conference League.
But last season’s European campaign was short lived as they lost to Shkendija in the Champions League and were knocked out of the Conference League by Differdange 03.
Saints only scored once in four European ties last season but Harrison believes his squad will have more of a cutting edge this time.
Additions include striker Brad Young rejoining and winger Rhys Hughes arriving from Cymru Premier rivals Connah’s Quay Nomads.
“At the time, Ben Wilson wasn’t fully fit. He’d hardly played any minutes and he’d just joined, the big key is Ben being fully fit, having a good pre-season under his belt,” said Harrison.
“We’ve brought Brad Young back to the football club, we all know what Brad’s about in his goal-scoring ability.
“Jordan Williams had a fantastic season last year and there’s Rhys Hughes as well with his goals and his assists.
“Added to that the likes of Ryan Brobbel, Rory Holden and Ben Clark.
“So we are in a lot better position than we were this time last year regarding goal threats.”
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