England head to Rijeka on Saturday looking to make it back-to-back Nations League victories after getting off the mark in Prague.
Thomas Tuchel’s side responded to their 3-2 defeat against Spain by beating Czechia 2-0 on Tuesday. Anthony Gordon scored for the third successive England game before Harry Kane wrapped up the points.
Croatia had a considerably rougher evening.
Slaven Bilić’s side were beaten 4-1 by Spain in Seville, with Lamine Yamal scoring twice. Croatia managed only five shots and 0.47 xG despite Dion Drena Beljo briefly making it 1-1.
Both teams therefore sit on three points in Group A3, three behind Spain. There is also plenty of recent history here: England beat Croatia 4-2 at the World Cup in June.
What are the best betting tips for Croatia vs England?
England to win
England weren’t spectacular against Czechia, particularly before half-time, but they eventually took control and deserved the victory.
Their away record is difficult to ignore too.
England have now won eight consecutive away matches in all competitions. Another victory would equal the national record set under Sir Alf Ramsey in 1967.
Croatia should offer more than Czechia did, but Tuesday exposed some significant defensive problems.
Spain repeatedly found space between the lines and generated 16 shots. Bilić himself admitted afterwards that Croatia’s defending simply hadn’t worked.
The lack of a normal home crowd could also reduce Croatia’s advantage. Saturday’s fixture is being played under a UEFA spectator sanction, although thousands of children are permitted to attend.
England have beaten Croatia in three of their four meetings since the 2018 World Cup semi-final and look capable of adding another.
Anthony Gordon to score or assist
Gordon has been England’s standout attacking threat during this international window.
He scored against Spain before finding the net again in Prague, taking him to three goals in his last three England appearances.
His goal against Czechia was particularly impressive. Gordon attacked Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross and guided a difficult header into the far corner.
Tuchel was certainly impressed.
“Not a lot can convert that.”
Gordon’s pace could be particularly useful against a Croatia defence that struggled badly when Spain attacked quickly on Tuesday.
Rather than asking him to score for a third consecutive Nations League game, the goal-or-assist market gives us a little more cover.
Ivan Perišić 1+ shot on target
Perišić might be 37, but apparently nobody has told him.
The veteran remains an important part of Croatia’s attack and has started both Nations League games under Bilić during this window.
His recent international numbers remain excellent too. Perišić has registered 15 goal involvements across his last 18 starts for Croatia, scoring six and assisting nine.
He also has plenty of history against England. Perišić scored and assisted in Croatia’s 2018 World Cup semi-final victory.
England kept their first clean sheet in seven matches against Czechia, but Croatia should offer considerably more attacking threat in Rijeka.
One Perišić effort on target looks a reasonable angle without needing Croatia to actually win the game.
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Where can I watch Croatia vs England?
Croatia host England at the Stadion HNK Rijeka on Saturday, October 3, with kick-off at 5 pm BST.
The game will be shown live in the UK on ITV1 and ITVX.
The fixture is officially being played behind closed doors because of a UEFA sanction against Croatia. However, an exemption means several thousand children are expected to be inside the stadium, alongside a small allocation of England supporters.
What have the managers said?
Slaven Bilić:
Bilić wasn’t particularly interested in dressing up Croatia’s 4-1 defeat to Spain.
The Croatia boss admitted his side gave the world champions far too much room, particularly defensively.
“They had too much air, too much space.”
Bilić added:
“That’s not how Croatian football should be.”
He should be able to restore Luka Modrić to his starting XI against England after resting the 41-year-old for most of Tuesday’s defeat.
Bilić has also spoken about the unusual atmosphere awaiting both teams in Rijeka.
“It’s not good to be without the crowd.”
He described Croatia’s supporters as their “12th player” and admitted it is a major disappointment for such a big fixture to take place without the usual home support.
Thomas Tuchel:
Tuchel was much happier with England’s second-half performance in Prague.
After a sluggish opening 45 minutes, the Three Lions increased the tempo and eventually broke down ten-man Czechia.
“In the second half we stepped up.”
Tuchel felt England needed to move the ball with greater purpose.
“We needed to be a bit more dynamic and be a bit more urgent in our play.”
England eventually did exactly that, with Gordon and Kane scoring after the break.
Tuchel also praised his side for maintaining their intensity and described the 2-0 result as a “deserved victory”.
What is Croatia’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Vušković, Gvardiol; Modrić, Kovačić; Marco Pašalić, Petar Sučić, Perišić; Beljo.
Injured: Josip Juranović, Martin Erlić.
Modrić is expected to return after starting on the bench against Spain, while Luka Vušković is another candidate to come back into Bilić’s XI.
Stanišić and Martin Baturina missed the Spain defeat following illness but are expected to be available again.
Beljo should have strengthened his chances of retaining the number nine role after scoring Croatia’s only goal in Seville.
What is England’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Konsa, Branthwaite, Hall; Anderson, Bellingham; Saka, Rogers, Gordon; Kane.
Injured: Declan Rice, Cole Palmer, Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Tino Livramento, Nico O’Reilly.
O’Reilly is the latest player to leave the squad. The Manchester City defender has returned to his club for assessment and will miss both Croatia and Tuesday’s return game against Czechia.
Rice, Palmer, Rashford, Mainoo and Livramento all withdrew before the international window began.
Tuchel has confirmed Jordan Pickford will start England’s next two matches after James Trafford was given the opening two Nations League games.
Jude Bellingham could also return to the XI, while Ezri Konsa and Jarrad Branthwaite are options if Tuchel decides to freshen up his defence.
Croatia vs England prediction
This should be a very different game to England’s win in Prague.
Croatia will have more of the ball, Modrić should return and Bilić will expect a significant response after Tuesday’s defensive mess in Spain.
But England have reasons to be confident.
They’ve won eight consecutive away games, Gordon is in excellent international form and Kane continues to score. Croatia also haven’t beaten England since that famous World Cup semi-final in 2018.
The World Cup meeting between these sides produced six goals only a few months ago. This one could be slightly tighter, but England’s pace in attack looks capable of causing Croatia problems again.
Score prediction: Croatia 1-2 England
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