One of the most fancied teams in Germany, England will open their FIFA World Cup campaign against Group B rivals Paraguay on 10 June. Sven-Goran Eriksson’s men will start off as favourites at the FIFA World Cup Stadium Frankfurt but should not underestimate opponents aiming to advance to the knockout rounds for the third successive time.

The players
The general consensus is that Eriksson has a more talented and experienced squad at his disposal than in 2002. Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have developed into two of Europe’s finest attacking midfielders, ensuring a real goal threat from the centre of the pitch. Up front the in-form Peter Crouch offers a viable option alongside Michael Owen in Wayne Rooney's absence. As for Paraguay, they are also without a striker in Jose Cardozo and have had doubts over Roque Santa Cruz. Fortunately, coach Anibal Ruiz can also call on Nelson Valdez as well a solid rearguard which features excellent performers in goalkeeper Justo Villar and defenders Carlos Gamarra and Julio Cesar Caceres.

How they qualified
England qualified comfortably with eight wins from their ten matches, including home and away successes against Poland. Paraguay finished fourth in the South American standings, with a record of eight wins, four draws and six defeats from 18 games. Notable among their results was the 1-0 home win over Argentina which secured qualification.

Past meetings
The teams have met twice before and on both occasions England won comfortably. Goals from Gary Lineker (2) and Peter Beardsley secured a 3-0 win over the South Americans in the second round of the 1986 FIFA World Cup, while Owen was among the scorers as England enjoyed an even more handsome 4-0 friendly win in April 2002.

Tournament history
England’s FIFA World Cup history began in Brazil in 1950 and the high point to date came on home soil in 1966 when Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick won them the world crown against West Germany. Their best performance since then came in 1990 when they reached the semi-finals. Paraguay appeared at the first FIFA World Cup in 1930 but had to wait until their fourth finals in 1986 to advance beyond the first round. They repeated that feat in 1998 and 2002 but are still waiting to progress any further.

Key contest
This match brings together two teams renowned on their own continents for the strength of their aerial game. England boast a real threat through David Beckham’s set-pieces and centre-back John Terry and, if selected, the towering Crouch are men the South Americans should keep a particularly close eye on. At the other end, England’s defence must be equally vigilant with strikers Santa Cruz and Valdez both a danger.

The coaches
Germany 2006 marks Eriksson's farewell to the England job after five years and the 58-year-old is determined to go out on a high, declaring: “It is 40 years since we last won a big tournament, and it's time to do it now.” Traditionally cautious there is a sense the Swede is ready to make bold decisions, starting with his inclusion of the untried Walcott. Doubts over Rooney mean he may even reconsider his preferred 4-4-2 formation, but that is unlikely to happen in this first match. Paraguay’s Uruguayan coach Ruiz is also a 4-4-2 man but may choose a more cautious five-man midfield in Frankfurt. The 63-year-old was appointed on a temporary basis after the last FIFA World Cup but has held on to the reins and believes facing England is the perfect start as “it won’t allow us a moment’s overconfidence”.

England is the BIG favourite but take care of Haedo Valdez ;D