The 27-year-old Fulham defender begs to differ however, and believes they are at their best when the odds are against them.

He was in bullish mood ahead of the match with Group F leaders Sweden on Wednesday when a victory will see the hosts qualify for Austria and Switzerland.

With their final two games against Denmark at home and second-placed Spain in Las Palmas, Northern Ireland face a tough run-in.

Hughes, who looks certain to be named captain after recovering from an ankle ligament injury, is relishing the challenge.

"We have caused upsets before, so why not again?" said the Fulham defender.

"When things are against us that is when we are at our best. There is no pressure on us, it is all on Sweden.

"We can go out and just play. We are still in it, we are not out of it despite what some people are saying, although we are going to have to do it the hard way.

"Maybe two victories and a draw will be good enough to see us qualify.

"Sweden know a win will guarantee them to go through. That is the carrot for them. But we want to keep ourselves in contention.

"Our success the past two or three years has been to concentrate on things we do best and stop the opposition playing."

The one constant in Northern Ireland's campaign has been the thrilling form of striker David Healy.

He took his tally to 12 in the qualifiers by scoring from the penalty spot against Iceland.

Healy bagged a brace in a memorable victory against Sweden at Windsor Park and Hughes said: "David only had a few chances in that game and he put two of them in the back of net.

"That's the key at this level - to take your chances when you have them.

"To have someone like him to do what he does is one of the big reasons why we have done so well.

"He is always a threat. We just have to get the ball to him."

Northern Ireland have won only two out of their last 27 competitive games away from home and their task in Stockholm is not made any easier in that manager Nigel Worthington will be without five players who started against Latvia.

Chris Baird, skipper in Riga, and Warren Feeney are both suspended. Keith Gillespie, Jonny Evans and Michael Duff are all injured.

Gareth McAuley of Leicester and Ivan Sproule of Bristol City, who have both expressed their disappointment at being overlooked, could make rare starts.

Stephen Craigan and Kyle Lafferty are also expected to return against a Sweden side that defeated Liechtenstein 3-0 at the weekend.