England’s 2026-27 Nations League campaign continues with a trip to face a familiar foe in Croatia.
These two countries locked horns in the group stage of World Cup 2026, with the Three Lions eventually securing a 4-2 victory.
Thomas Tuchel will be desperate for his side to deliver a similar level of attacking intent on Saturday in Rjeka, though perhaps ask for a little more defensive stability.
Of course, the fact the game is set to be played effectively behind-closed-doors due to a previous UEFA sanction certainly plays into the hands of the visiting side.
We have previewed this weekend’s big England game in full below, picking out some more sports betting tips based on the latest Nations League odds.
And if you want to get the most from your pre-match wager, make sure to utilise our Bet Builder tool. Combine multiple markets into a single bet, watch your odds soar and play your way at NetBet Sport!
Where can I watch Croatia vs England in the UK?
Croatia vs England will be broadcast live on ITV1, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm UK time.
Croatia vs England Preview
Recent results
Croatia’s Nations League campaign got off to a decent start courtesy of a 2-1 win in the Czech Republic, though Slaven Bilic’s men were brought crashing back down to reality against world champions Spain on Tuesday. The Croats lost 4-1, with Lamine Yamal the start of the show thanks to two more goals on the international stage.
England were also dealt a Nations League blow by what is an irrepressible Spain outfit, the Three Lions losing 3-2 at Wembley on Matchday 1 of the competition. But Tuchel’s men responded well on Tuesday by securing a 2-0 away win vs the Czech Republic, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane grabbing the goals in the second half.
Head-to-head record
Croatia and England met on 12 previous occasions, with four games played since the 2018 World Cup semi-final – which the former won 2-1 after extra-time.
England claimed the victory in each of the last three contests, a 2-1 home win in the 2018-19 Nations League followed by a 1-0 success at Euro 2020 and the aforementioned World Cup 2026 triumph.
Team news
Croatia’s squad looks in decent shape, though Josip Stanisic is a doubt after missing the Spain game. Brighton’s rising star Luka Vuskovic may come into the starting XI for this one, while the evergreen Luka Modric also looks set to feature from the off after his substitute appearance vs La Roja.
Nico O’Reilly continues to be a significant injury doubt for England, which should see Lewis Hall retain his place at left-back. Trent Alexander-Arnold impressed in Prague and is firmly in line for another start here, while Jude Bellingham is almost certain to return to the starting XI.
Croatia vs England Odds
*All odds are subject to change
Croatia enter the match as underdogs at a price of 3.71. A victory for England is at odds of 1.81, while the draw here is 3.73.
Croatia vs England Betting Tips
Both teams to score – Yes @ 1.65
England finally kept a clean sheet against the Czech Republic on Tuesday evening, ending a run of six matches without one. The Three Lions conceded 13 goals in the games prior to the Prague success, a clear sign of the team’s transitional period from a defensive standpoint. So leaning on BTTS could be a great shout here, especially as underdogs Croatia scored in their last nine competitive matches – tallying three or more in the previous four on home soil. Furthermore, this pick landed in six of the hosts’ last seven contests, which is certainly a good omen.
England to win and both teams to score – Yes @ 3.23
But while we are backing both teams to find the back of the net, England should still have enough firepower to emulate their World Cup success. Three of England’s last four victories in regulation time saw both teams find the back of the net, while the selection was a winner in two of the last three editions of this fixture.
Player will score and his team will win – Anthony Gordon @ 5.10
Gordon is quickly becoming one of the first names on Tuchel’s England teamsheet. The Barcelona winger netted against Spain and the Czechs, following on from his strike against Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals. Gordon is brimming with confidence right now and if he is deployed on the left wing once again, expect him to have a big say in England’s plight. And with the great odds on offer, this selection looks too good to pass up!
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