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Crouch is on fire and a big worry for defences while Owen is returning to fitness and is a scorer of important goals in big games
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England's World Cup campaign finally kicks off against Paraguay on Saturday - and I am convinced they have a real chance of emerging as tournament winners.
The preparation has been faultless so far, apart from Wayne Rooney's injury, and we have players who are experienced on this massive stage.
England's squad arrived at their base on Monday and I have to say the facilities and the training camp are magnificent.
They are the best I have ever seen with England, or anywhere else.
And I was so impressed when I listened to Gary Neville talk with great pragmatism about what is required.
People can talk about what England might or might not do, the buzz in the camp and the team spirit, the harmony.
This is all very well, but what England must do is get this campaign off with a win against Paraguay.
It doesn't matter how they do it as long as they do it - and their preparations certainly give them the best chance.
A lot of players are used to having the sort of facilities on offer to England at their club, but the FA has to be congratulated for getting this spot on.
It is certainly a far cry from the facilities I occasionally "enjoyed" on World Cup duty.
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I really do think this is our best chance of winning the World Cup in recent memory
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I recall training on surfaces that resembled dusty cricket wickets in Mexico in 1986 and then on muddy pitches.
Now it is all about winning that first game. England can play poorly and win as far as I'm concerned - we will all take that.
I think the team now picks itself, with Peter Crouch alongside Michael Owen in a 4-4-2 formation.
Crouch is on fire and a big worry for defences, while Owen is returning to fitness and is a scorer of important goals in big games.
England have players with big match temperaments - and the only way I can seem them losing to Paraguay is if stage fright or nerves play a part in proceedings.
But England do not have many players making their World Cup debuts so I don't really see that.
I really do think this is our best chance of winning the World Cup in recent memory.
The draw has been pretty kind, although I don't think the first choice 11 will remain throughout the tournament.
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At the end of the day it comes down to character, bottle and ability
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I hope it does, Rooney excepted, but there may be injuries, giving other players the opportunity to make an impact.
I am mixing with the players at the team hotel and there is calmness and confidence about the squad I didn't see in Euro 2004.
I have criticised them in the past, but I have also praised them when it has been deserved.
I don't have a problem with that, and if anybody does then I'm sure they will let me know about it in the next few days, probably in a darkened room.
But I was really heartened by Neville's comments when he warned that Paraguay will be as prepared and ready as we will be, along with many other teams.
At the end of the day it comes down to character, bottle and ability, probably in that order, and we have players who fit the bill on that score.
Now the stage is set and we must do whatever it takes to win and get the campaign off to a great start.
This is the sixth World Cup I've been at - first as an England player, then as a BBC pundit - and it just gets better and better as an event.
I can't wait for it to start, hopefully with the result all England wants.
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