Michael Owen believes England have a better chance of winning the World Cup next year than at any time since he burst onto the international-scene at France '98 against Argentina.
Owen has seen England knocked out of the past two World Cups by Argentina in 1998 and Brazil in 2002, but insists they have no reason to fear either of the South American sides ahead of next summer's finals.
Having lost to Argentina on penalties in France despite Owen's wonder goal but then defeated them via David Beckham's spot-kick in Japan, England take on their arch-rivals once again in a friendly in Geneva today.
Owen said: "The first time we played them in 1998 we were full of experience and it was the last tournament for a lot of players.
"In 2002 it was totally the opposite as we had a really inexperienced team.
"I would say this is really in the middle of that, you've got a bit of everything. Ability-wise, I think this team is a fantastic team.
"When it's playing and functioning in all the right places, this team is a top team and it will be a good match, just as it always is against them."
Ledley King flew out with the rest of the England squad, having come through training after a knee injury. King could slot into a diamond formation in midfield, leaving the main question marks over left-back - Wayne Bridge, Paul Konchesky or Phil Neville - and centre-back, with Sol Campbell or Rio Ferdinand alongside John Terry.
