Before the ultimate triumph, you must have the ultimate heartbreak. Before the ecstasy, you must have the agony. 

The Three Lions have had heartbreak after heartbreak since their 1966 World Cup win. From their 1990 penalty shootout anguish in Turin to their 1998 shootout despair in Saint-Etienne. 

From the 2006 shootout in Gelsenkirchen to their 2018 semi-final extra time sorrow in Moscow. 

Most recently it was once again a shootout that ripped out English hearts, succumbing to the Italians at Wembley in the Euro 2021 final.

This English team is cursed, and as the old adage goes - for a curse to end, the victim must fall to it, once last time, in the most torturous and soul-destroying way possible. 

And maybe, just maybe that most recent loss to the Azzurri on home soil was the dawning of what could become a new and perhaps glorious era for the English national team. 

In Gareth Southgate the Three Lions have their stabilising force on the touchline. Under him they’re playing some of the world’s most effective football with a squad that contains some of the world’s very best young talent. 

This England side is perfectly poised to win this year's World Cup and here's why. 

Punters- At TopSport, Brazil are $6.5 favourites to win their 6th World Cup and first since 2002. 

Weak pool of contenders 

Before we look at the England side and its makeup, let’s look at the teams that they will be facing in the upcoming World Cup. 

Firstly, either Italy or Portugal won't make it to Qatar, so that makes things just a little bit easier. But of the teams that are guaranteed to make it, many aren't as strong as they once were.

Belgium is riding on their last legs as its golden generation is slowly fading into the sunset. It’d take something extraordinary for them to win their first international trophy. France is looking as weak as it ever has, falling to Switzerland in the Euros and looking a shell of what they were in 2018. It’s also interesting to note (and bad news for Les Blues) but there hasn’t been a back-to-back World Cup winner since Brazil in 1958-1962, while 3 of the last 4 winners have actually failed to even make it out of the group stage 4 years later.

Spain hasn't hit the heights of where they were a decade ago, and despite a good young core, it might just be too early for them to reach the mountain top. 

And Brazil and Argentina fit in the same category. While yes these two South American giants have combined for 7 of the last 16 World Cup wins the fact is both have continually come unstuck on the world stage in recent years. Then there’s Germany who've sorely lacked the kind of cutting edge that’s made them so formidable and helped them claim a combined 7 World Cups and European championships. 

This relatively weakened pool of World Cup candidates is a major factor why many betting outlets have the Three Lions among the favourites, with TopSport currently slotting them in as $7.75 shot behind only France and Brazil. 

Punters- At TopSport, France are paying $7 to become the first back-to-back World Cup champ since Brazil (1958-1962).

Prime years

Over the years, the Three Lions have always had a missing piece in their international squad. 

There was always something lacking either technically or tactically which prevented England from reaching their heights. A clear example of this was the stubborn nature of Sven-Göran Eriksson and Fabio Capello and their inability to get the best out of three of the greatest English midfielders of all time (Steve Gerrard, Frank Lampard and David Beckham). Their lack of tactical fluidity and inflexible nature significantly hurt England and set them back years. 

However under Gareth Southgate, not only does he have a squad that’s coming into their prime, but he knows and understands how to get the best out of every player. Being able to transition from a 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-3 in a blink of an eye, both systems get the best out of every player in the squad. 

The likes of Jack Grealish, Mason Mount and Phill Foden are perfect examples. This trio is technically gifted and can turn a game on its head in an instant. Versatile and hard-working, they can all fit into any three of the advanced midfield positions in the 4 at the back, as well as playing on either wide-forward role in the 3 at the back system. 

Any partnership of Kalvin Phillips, Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson and Jude Bellingham can work in either system, and the versatility of the full backs allows them to play more advanced if needed. This tactical fluidity sets them apart from previous England teams and puts them a cut above the rest. 

Not only does it set them apart from previous England teams, but it also makes them a nightmare proposition for opposition teams. Not many sides can flip-flop between systems and be so efficient at both. Even France, arguably player for player the best national side in the world, has one system that works and struggle to transition to a different one. They can change on a game by game basis and based on the opposition. Even throughout games they can change systems, showing the natural ability of all these players.  

Despite Southgate not being the overall best coach, he is the perfect man to lead this young, exuberant and hungry England squad. He knows all about the heartbreak, he knows all about the agony of falling short, he will relate to these players. Not only that, but he’s shown that he can at least lead them to the precipice of ultimate glory, which he proved in last year’s Euros.

Punters- At TopSport Germany are paying $10 to win a record-equalling 5th World Cup crown. 

Can they break 56 years of hurt?

They have as good a chance as ever. 

If they don’t win it this year, it’s hard to see when they will. By the time 2026 rolls around, despite the talent still being there, other national sides will be even more formidable. Spain will have a new golden generation heading into their prime, Germany will have kicked themselves into gear again and a post-Ronaldo Portugal will look dangerous. 

England are perfectly poised to win their second-ever international trophy and put pay to 56 years of utter misery.

Did you enjoy this article? Join our free mailing list to get the best content delivered straight to your inbox, or join the conversation by leaving a comment below or on the Stats Insider Twitter or Facebook page.