professional footballers believe the defending champions will still be a force in the 16th World Cup which begins tomorrow in France.

But only one of them, Stoke City striker Kyle Lightbourne, sticks his neck out and tips them to defend the title they won in the United States in 1994.

Shawn Goater, who plays for Manchester City, is tipping the English to win their first World Cup since 1966 while David Bascome of US indoor team Harrisburg Heat, has chosen Argentina to win, even though he is a Brazil fan.

"You can't count out my boys, and the team I would like to win it, Brazil, but I'm a realist and I'm going to go with Argentina,'' said Bascome who says he is picking with his head and not his heart.

"I've been watching Brazil and I don't think they are going to do well. I think they are going to struggle a little bit. If they make it to the final that's great, and if they win it, it would be a bonus for them. But I know they probably have some doubts within the team itself.'' Recent Brazilian results have cast doubts over their ability to win the cup for a record fifth time. But Lightbourne isn't one of those doubters.

"The team I'm going to be supporting is Brazil,'' said Lightbourne. "I would like to see Brazil win it again.

"That (recent results) could spur them on in a way. They are not the team in form at the moment. I would think Holland have to be the team in form at present. I hope they haven't peaked too early.'' Lightbourne expects the winners to come from one of the `top four' -- Brazil, Argentina, Italy or Germany -- though he believes there could be some upsets.

He says the month-long tournament could end with a Brazil-Argentina final on July 12.

"Argentina have come up very quietly and no one has really mentioned them,'' said Lightbourne.

"I think it will come from one of the top four. There is so much at stake for them. Italy are under so much pressure they need to win this World Cup.

"I know Shawn has picked England because I was talking to him when he came back (to Bermuda). England are my adopted country but I can't leave Brazil because they have too much talent and too many match-winners and they don't give away too many goals.

Added Lightbourne: "Romania and Holland are my outside teams. I roomed with (former Coventry team-mate) Viorel Moldovan a couple of times, who plays for Romania, and I hope he does well, personally.'' Goater is standing by his decision to back England, even after the shock omission of midfielder Paul Gascoigne.

"I've got to go for England, I see them week in and week out,'' said Goater.

"Normally you can't rule out big teams like Germany who are always in the semi-finals or final.

"I haven't seen enough of Brazil to say I'll pick them but they always come up with a good team. They will definitely be a second choice for me, but I'll have to go for England.'' Goater expects goalkeeper David Seaman to play a key role while he rates striker Alan Shearer as one of the best in the world.

"By far they have the best goalkeeper (David Seaman) in the world and people will say that Ronaldo is the best striker in the world, but I would say that Shearer isn't too far behind him in terms of goal ratio,'' said Goater who has been playing in England for nine years.

"I think (Paul) Scholes will play a big part, he'll fill the role of Paul Gascoigne. I think he'll live up to it.

"I think (Michael) Owen could be the shock for scoring the most goals.'' Pros offer contrasting picks From Page 19 And who will be England's opponents in the final be? "I would like for them to play Brazil, but outside of Brazil I'd have to say the Dutch,'' said Goater. "There is always something about the Dutch.'' Bascome also thinks one of the favourites will win the coveted cup. "I don't think a dark-horse will take it,'' he states. "If you look at a team like Germany, they are a very disciplined team and I don't see a dark-horse getting over them too easily. Who's going to show up on the day is going to be very important.

"Everybody is looking for entertainment at the end of the day. Everybody has a team and wants their team to win but I want it to be entertaining.''