Tel tips England to reach the Final

Matt Hughes13 April 2012

Terry Venables believes England will beat Brazil tomorrow and go on to win the World Cup.

The former England coach believes that both sides have the ability to grab a hatful of goals but that England's superior defence will carry them to victory.

Speaking at the launch of the National Lottery's World Cup Superdraw in Covent Garden, Venables said: "I'm very confident that we can win. Both sets of attacks will cause problems and I can see goals coming from both teams. I think it will be 2-2 at full-time and we'll win it with a golden goal.

"I looked at Brazil again against Belgium and don't think they've improved defensively from the first game to the fourth game. I don't see any reason why they should get any better. We've got people who can cause them problems and also people who can stop them."

A £15 million jackpot is up for grabs in the lottery draw on Saturday but the stakes in Shizuoka are even higher. With Turkey or Senegal awaiting the winners in the semifinal, England are well placed to reach the Final for the second time in their history.

"This is our best chance to win the World Cup for a long time," said Venables.

"If we do win it then the whole team and the coach should be knighted."

The 59-year-old former Tottenham manager was in charge the last time England reached the last four of a major tournament at Euro 96 and sees similarities between the two sides.

He said: "It was a situation where we went into the next round and grew every game. We had great confidence and that's what we need now. I think we've got terrific belief and that's the main thing. If you've got that then you have a great chance to do well.

"I've always thought we were defensively sound and Rio Ferdinand's come on so much that we've now got a great leader. He's been outstanding but the whole back five is doing a fine job at the moment. They're very compact and difficult to break down.

"We've always had a midfield that screens the back four, protecting defenders, and the problem has been whether we can get players forward to support the front two. I don't think the front two have had the ammunition they need but it was better in the last game and I hope it can improve against Brazil."

The pace of Michael Owen will worry the Brazilians and Venables urged England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson to pick the Liverpool striker despite his niggling groin injury.

"If Owen's 50-50 then I'll hazard a guess that he'll play," said Venables. "I'd definitely play him."

VOTE: Can England beat Brazil?

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