Prediction: Michael Ballack expects England to shine in South Africa

The Chelsea midfielder believes Fabio Capello could lead England to a first major title since 1966, and admits his own nation is lagging a bit behind ahead of World Cup 2010.

"They have a great team and many players with exceptional individual class," he told the Rheinische Post newspaper.

"With Fabio Capello, they now have a manager who has brought stability. That is important and the team feels that.

"They have got to be able to win games even when they are not playing at the highest level and that is what Italian managers are good at, particularly Capello.

"England are oozing self-confidence and I can sense that here. They are one of the favourites."

Other favourites, according to Ballack, are Brazil, Italy and France - but not necessarily Germany.

"At a World Cup, everything has got to work, and then even more - you need luck," he said.

"There are certainly teams who are better than us at the moment."