DUNDEE United's Championship win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in midweek shortened the odds in favour of back-to-back home victories for the Tannadice side ahead of today's Scottish Cup quarter-final rematch.
But Inverness manager John Robertson retains belief in his players' ability to overturn that result and reach the last four in their quest to emulate the achievement of their cup-winning predecessors from 2015.
The Hearts legend said: "Belief is vitally important and we preach that message before every game. But I genuinely don't believe the players realise how good they are and what they are capable of performance-wise.
"We've seen them raise their game to a different level in all five Highland derbies this season. But that's the level you need to attain every week if you want to be successful as a club and to get to national cup finals.
"The fact we've managed to reach that level maybe eight or nine times should be ample proof to the players that we are a really good side, maybe just two or three players away from being a top team.
"We have shown ourselves capable with several young boys who now have a lot of games under their belts. But this is the time when we need to display the same belief we had in the derby games.
"Michael Gardyne probably had a point when he said that we only show up in the derbies.
"The fact are there. Apart from the matches against Ross County, we've reached that level of consistency possibly only against Partick Thistle away and at home, for 70 minutes, and Dunfermline away.
"That's what's let us down this season, consistency of performance. But we are more than capable because we have some really talented players.
"When we are focused and show the appetite, energy and desire to go with our ability, we're a very good side."
Central defender Coll Donaldson also claims that facing his former club, where he was targeted for abuse by a section on of the home support after signing from Queens Park Rangers in 2015, inspires him.
The 23-year-old added: "Subconsciously you've always got that extra five to ten per cent desire to do well and achieve a positive result.
"Playing against a team that is at the same level, we feel that we have a real chance. The club's cup record is also very good and that adds to our sense of belief."
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