Soccer: Beckham favourite for top award

David Beckham is the favourite to lift the FIFA World Player of the Year award tonight.

Beckham and Michael Owen are also battling to be the first English winner of the European Footballer of the Year award since Kevin Keegan in 1979.

In line to win the FIFA award, voted for by national team coaches, are Beckham, Portugal's Luis Figo and Spain's Raul.

Fifa asked 132 national team coaches to nominate their top three players of 2001.

Spain, Portugal and England have never had winners of the world player award. Beckham is the favourite but Fifa are keeping the result a closely-guarded secret.

The 'France Football' European award is expected to be given to Owen for his heroics for Liverpool and England.

There are 50 contenders for the European award, including Beckham, Figo and Raul.

France Football will also give awards to the top player and team. Both are also thought to be Anfield-bound.