Are England finally ready to win the World Cup? Ian Griffiths and Kelvin Leong ponder that and a few other topics ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
Will African teams shine in South Africa?
Kel: I had high hopes for Ivory Coast to be the dark horse of the tournament but now that Didier Drogba is a doubt with a broken arm, it does not bode well for the African nations. Besides the Elephants, who have Sven Goran Eriksson's tactical know-how to bank on, the other teams have been disappointing.
Cameroon are a far cry from their past glories, with Samuel Eto'o seemingly unhappy with recent comments by Roger Milla that he doesn't put in as much effort when donning national colours as compared to his club duties.
Ghana without Michael Essien are no better than a cohesive and hardworking unit and their lack of firepower in attack will be their downfall.
Nigeria are way off the mark and it will be a surprise if Algeria or South Africa can turn the tables and cause any upsets against the giants of the game.
So no, I reckon the winner will come from Europe or South America. But that should not stop the African and Asian players from showcasing their talents on the biggest shop window they will ever get.
Ian: To be brutally honest, I have grown tired of the hype surrounding the African teams going into the competition.
Yes I know it is a momentous occasion to have the first World Cup on African soil, but does that immediately mean that countries from that continent should automatically be billed as threats? Of course not, it's merely sentimental rubbish!
As you mentioned Kel, the hype that preceded the African teams is far greater than the actual talent they have at their disposal.
Having one or two exceptional players at your disposal does not mean that any country - let alone the African countries - will automatically rise to the top.
Heartbreak beckons for Africa's finest.
England are true contenders?
Kel: This is possibly the first time English fans are not overhyping their team's chances of bringing the trophy home.
Too often in the past, the English media and fans have tended to put the Three Lions on a pedestal, only to knock them off when the going gets tough.
In Fabio Capello, England have an astute tactician who has control of the dressing room and will not back down when his authority is being challenged by the hungry media.
The limelight has gone to Wayne Rooney for most of the build-up to the World Cup but in my opinion, Aaron Lennon and Steven Gerrard are the key men.
If Stevie-G can put his poor club season behind him and rise to the occasion, along with Lennons direct style of play, this could be the real deal for the starving English fans.
Ian: As an England fan, I really want to agree with you - but I can't.
We English have come to accept big tournament disappointment - it's like rain in summer or warm beer. It's just there.
Yet again, the worldwide love affair with the Premier League has seen observers claiming that England have a chance. Well wake up and smell the coffee - they don't.
Time and time again, some of the world's most high profile players have proven that they are mere mortals when compared to their footballing cousins in - for example - Italy or Spain.
True, Capello is a master tactician, someone who could well push England through to the quarter or semi-finals. But England needs more than that.
As a group, England are less technically gifted, less tactically savvy - despite the presence of Capello- and more afraid of the big stage than a handful of other teams in South Africa.
They don't have a chance of winning it.
Can Italy defend their crown?
Kel: I support Italy, but I have my reservations as to whether Marcello Lippi's men can retain the title.
Lippi has decided to bring the core group of aged soldiers to South Africa, with the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Gennaro Gattuso and Fabio Cannavaro still providing the main spine of the Azzurri.
The trio have been great servants for the national side but all three have had below-par seasons in the Serie A with their respective clubs.
One player who could have given the Italians a glimmer of hope in retaining the cup is Sampdoria playmaker, Antonio Cassano.
Lippi has once again opted to leave Cassano at home and that could just be the straw that broke the camel's back.
The Round of 16 will be an achievable target but anything more will be a bonus for the weary legs of Lippi's men.
Ian: I watched in awe when Italy lifted the World Cup last time around. They were everything a good team should be - gifted, gritty and determined to win.
Now, whilst that hasn't changed, the Italians look certain to be undone by their aged legs.
Why change something that has worked well in the past you may ask. Well, times change and - in football terms at least - four years is an awfully long time. Time takes its toll on us all - footballers are no exception.
‘Dad's Army' Italy will head home sooner rather than later this time.
And yes, Lippi is a fool for leaving out Cassano.
Asia any good?
Kel: Only one Asian country has a chance of progressing into the round of 16.
South Korea are my pick. With tricky wingers like Lee Chun Yong and Park Ji Sung in their ranks, the Taeguk Warriors play a compact game of football and are well versed in the art of counter-attacking.
Their defence is rock solid as shown in the friendly against Spain, where they held the European champions until the final minutes before a rocket by Jesus Navas smashed into the back of the net.
With a full bag of determination and a little luck on their side, they might be able to reproduce their magical run in the 2000 World Cup.
Ian: As readers may know, I am a massive fan of the Asian game, but this time around, I'm not too sure I can see any Asian side - apart from Australia - getting out of the group stage.
And before anyone tells me that they are not from Asia - we are looking at countries who qualified from Asia as the Socceroos did.
Anyway, you're right Kel in that South Korea may offer some resistance, but for me, Pim Verbeek's men are the pick of the Asian bunch.
With an abundance of talent at his disposal - take a bow Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer et al - the Dutchman must be quietly optimistic that his charges have enough in their combined locker to finish second in Group D ahead of both Serbia and Ghana and behind Germany.
Throw into the mix the Aussies never-say-die spirit and South Africa looks as if it may well be a happy hunting ground for the green and gold from Down Under.
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