It is going to be an epic battle between two football giants - the best attackers in the World Cup against the best defenders.

But tension for the England versus Brazil clash has reached new heights in the Pollard household.

On one side of the sofa, with three lions proudly emblazoned on his shirt, is Darren, football fanatic and passionate England supporter.

On the other end of the cushions, resplendent in yellow, is his Brazilian wife Patricia, brimming with hot-blooded Latino pride for her home team.

And somewhere in the middle is their confused son, Josh, who can't make up his mind who to support during tomorrow morning's quarter-final clash.

Darren, 30, of Hove Street, Hove, said passions in the household were running high.

He said: "We both watched all the games. If England have been playing, Patricia has supported them. When Brazil have played, I've backed them.

"But now we have a very difficult situation. We have been married six years and England have not played Brazil in a competition in that time.

"This is going to be a first for us because whenever we have watched a game together, we've both been cheering for the same side. This time we'll be against each other."

Darren, who runs an insurance brokers, describes himself as "football mad".

He said: "Patricia, like all Brazilians, loves football and goes completely mad over the World Cup. The first time I ever saw her, she was wearing a Brazil shirt."

Josh, four, has supported both his parents' teams throughout the matches and worn his shirt accordingly.

Darren said: "He has one for each team so it's up to him which one he wears tomorrow. At the moment, I think he is swaying towards his Mum but I hope to pull him back before the match. It's only a bit of fun though - it's up to him to decide."

Josh has also come under pressure from his friends at Honeycroft Playgroup in Hove.

Darren said: "They've been painting flags but only England ones."

Even baby sister Natasha is being groomed as a supporter.

Darren said: "Patricia has bought her a Brazil shirt. Unfortunately I haven't been as pro-active so she hasn't got an England one yet."

The Pollards' neighbours are aware of the sporting split in the household - flags for both countries hang side by side from their balcony.

And Patricia, 33, a swimming teacher, has "advised" Darren to watch the match somewhere other than home.

Darren said: "The problem is the match is 7.30 in the morning and I want to watch it in my own living room."

Darren admits Patricia scores more highly on the football passion stakes.

He said: "She's football crazy - it's a way of life. In Brazil the whole country has time off to watch the team."

But he does not believe Latino passion will be enough to win the game.

He said: "England have done brilliantly and I'm confident they will win 2-1."

However, Patricia is adamant Brazil will crack the England squad.

She said: "Darren is going to go ballistic but I think Brazil will win 3-1."

Either way, one of them is going to be sick as a parrot by the final whistle.

Darren added: "Whatever happens, one of us will be disappointed but we'll get over it."