What are you most looking forward to about this World Cup?

Simon Brotherton: I’m just looking forward to going there. It is a football-loving continent. You go to little villages in the middle of nowhere and you see kids with football tops. My big hope is that Africans can get into the games, fill the stadiums and make the most of it. Sometimes at the Africa Cup of Nations they’ve had these big new stadiums built and people couldn’t afford to get in.

Who do you think could win it?

Gary Lineker: Spain. I picked them for the Euros and got that right for the first time ever!

Steve Wilson: Last summer I was really optimistic about England’s prospects, but if you look at a lot of the big players in the team, a lot of them are injured and a lot of them haven’t had great seasons.

Can Spain win it even if Torres isn’t fit?

GL: Yes, I think they’re the one team who could survive without a star man, because they have so many terrific players.

Danny Mills: But there’s South Africa – you can never rule out the home nation.

Robbie Savage: You can this time! If they win, I’ll sign for Real Madrid!

What else are you looking forward to?

RS: England getting knocked out! No, listen, I do want England to win it. But they’ll only get through the group stage in my opinion, I don’t think they’ll get much further. They’ve got so many players not playing well, and you haven’t got a keeper who’s world class.

Is Glen Johnson the best choice at right-back for England?

Alan Hansen: There are questions about him defensively, but going forward he’s one of the best. As the season progressed he got better defensively. I don’t think he’s the finished article, but you’ve got to go with your best players and I think he’s the best right-back.

Do you think Rooney has learnt from the last World Cup when he was sent off?

AS: Yeah, I think he’s certainly matured into a better player and I think he’s getting better all the time. He’s had an exceptional season and a great teacher in Fergie [Alex Ferguson].

Should Rooney play up front on his own since he’s done so well there for Man Utd?

Danny Mills: It’s all right saying Rooney’s scored a lot with his head, but who’s going to supply the crosses now? Gerrard’s not going to do it from the left. Walcott’s great at getting past people, but then his quality isn’t always great. Lennon’s the same.

Do you think Darren Bent’s got a chance?

Mark Bright: No! I just don’t think Capello likes Bent’s style of play. If Darren Bent plays up front with Rooney, he’s got to hold the ball, but I don’t think he does that well. I like Darren Bent and he’s had a really good season, but I don’t think Capello will take him.

Adam Johnson’s had a lot of praise lately. Would you take him?

DM: If I was Capello… which I’m not…

RS: He’s far better-looking than you!

DM: Only just! I would definitely take Johnson. He’s direct, he’s got tricks, he can score goals off either foot and I think he offers something that no other England player has.

Is there anything Capello can do to help the players if it comes to a shoot-out?

GL: Yes: make them practice the damn things! I used to hit 30 a day during World Cups. Yes, it’s high pressured, but it’s like golf: if someone has to putt from five feet to win The Open, it doesn’t half help if you’ve had some practice.

AS: You can practice, but you can’t recreate the atmosphere that you’re gonna take them in when it’s for real. You can’t recreate there being 20 million people watching back home.

How do you feel about them as a fan?

AS: I wouldn’t wish them on my worst enemy!

So there’s nothing Capello can do differently to any other manager?

AS: Maybe he can pray a little bit more!

See bbc.co.uk/sport for coverage details.