Fabio Capello's side have put themselves in a strong position by winning their first five matches in group six, but automatic qualification as winners of the six-team section is still some way from being assured.
Tricky fixtures at home to Croatia and away to Ukraine await in the autumn and Capello is determined to ensure his squad go into those matches with the additional margin for error that will come with wins here and against Andorra at Wembley on Wednesday.
On paper, England should not have too much trouble overcoming opponents they beat 5-1 on home soil in October. But that scoreline was harsh on the former Soviet republic, who fielded an inexperienced side and unsettled their hosts for the first 45 minutes before wilting physically afer the break.
When the effects of a long season, an eight-hour flight and five-hour time difference are added into the equation, it is clear there is some potential for an upset at Almaty's Central Stadium -- as Steven Gerrard readily admitted.
"It can be difficult if you think negatively or you think you are tired, if you are thinking about the end of the season," the Liverpool midfielder said.
"But for me there are still two big games to play to get seven wins out of seven and put ourselves into a fantastic position to qualify."
Gerrard added: "The majority of the time when England play these type of teams we are expected to win very comfortably, but these teams can be very organised and difficult to beat and everyone wants to beat England.
"That's the unfortunate position we are in, because we have one of the best leagues in the world and a lot of our players are big names throughout the world, everyone wants to beat us.
"We want the job done as soon as possible though, and with all due respect to Kazakhstan and Andorra, these are games we should win."
England's failure to reach Euro 2008 should be sufficiently fresh in the collective memory of Capello's men to reduce the risk of complacency undoing the excellent work they have done to date in this campaign.
For the likes of Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand, South Africa could represent a last shot at World Cup glory and Lampard is hoping to head into the tournament in the kind of form he has displayed for Chelsea this season.
Capello has generally deployed Lampard as one of two holding midfielders, alongside Gareth Barry, with Steven Gerrard afforded a more attacking role that involves regularly switching positions with Wayne Rooney.
Capello's system has certainly brought the best out of Rooney, who has scored seven goals in his last five outings for his country.
The Manchester United forward will be determined to keep that run going as he seeks consolation for the disappointment of his club's Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.
England are without first-choice goalkeeper David James, who has undergone shoulder surgery, and Rooney's clubmate Rio Ferdinand, who did not travel as a result of a recurrence of a calf problem.
Otherwise Capello has most of his big names available. Robert Green is expected to stand in for James while the Italian must choose between Everton's Joleon Lescott and West Ham's Matthew Upson as a centreback partner for captain John Terry. -- AFP
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