"The expectation has grown as we have gone through the campaign," says Giggs, who succeeded Coleman but was unable to take Wales to the World Cup finals in Russia.
"But we've drawn in Azerbaijan in the past, Croatia have just drawn out there, too. So, you can't take anything for granted. And you can't in this group - full stop. I believe that if we perform well, we will win these two games, but I'm just focusing on Azerbaijan.
"You have to turn up on the night but we are in good form. I feel we've got momentum and I feel with the performances over the last three games that on a different night - especially against Slovakia - we could have got all three points.
"The team is in good shape at the moment and I am confident. If we do qualify then it would be huge for everyone in Welsh football. It transforms things, as we saw three years ago and the ripple effect extends outwards."
For Wales women, the requirement looks tougher - particularly as only the top team in the group gains automatic qualification - but is by no means impossible.
To get to the 2021 finals in England, without the need of a back door route, Wales need to overhaul a four-point deficit on Group C leaders Norway, a team good enough to reach the quarter-finals of last year's Women's World Cup in France.
It's a tall order, but with four matches remaining - two of which are against the Norwegians - then Ludlow's side have an opportunity to upset the odds.
The draw against Northern Ireland may not have been the outcome they were seeking, but Ludlow is insistent her team is moving in the right direction.
"We look at that performance and say 'we are progressing.' The result might not say that right now, but the level of performance was much better than we have produced in the last few months," she explained.
"We competed well, we dug-in at times but we also played some great football. We have two games against Norway. We look forward to the challenge come April and further into the New Year. We won't concede, definitely not.
"If this team actually qualified for the finals, they would deserve something fantastic. Not just for the achievement itself, but from where they have come from - a long way behind other teams.
"The positive is we are creating the chances. I am really proud of them and it has been a really good campaign so far."
Should both Wales teams be successful it would mean a notable hat-trick of Welsh participation in major sporting tournament finals across three years.
The Rugby World Cup of this year, would be followed by football's Euros of 2020 in the men's game, with the women's version to come in 2021 - further securing Wales' reputation as a nation that punches above its weight.
Words by @Dai_Sport_
