England can secure their quarter-final place in the Nations League by avoiding defeat at Wembley on Thursday when they take on Croatia, who they thrashed 7-0 in Rijeka last month.
With that huge win over the team that can pip them to second, allied with a six-point cushion and a +11 overall goal difference compared to -10, a last-eight place seems all but assured for England.
They also may well have designs on top spot with Spain three points ahead and their final opponent of the Nations League group stages on Sunday.
Croatia still have work to do to avoid relegation from League A, which a positive result at Wembley would ensure, while exorcising the demons of their home humbling at the hands of the Three Lions should also be a motivating factor.
England v Croatia Tips Summary
Best Bet - England to win and both teams to score @ 7/4
Alternative Bet - Jude Bellingham to provide an assist @ 2/1
Bet Builder Tip - England to win, Anthony Gordon to Score, Most Corners: England, Mateo Kovacic to be Booked @ 10/1
England v Croatia Prediction
Best Bet: England to win and both teams to score @ 7/4
England have bounced back from their opening loss to Spain in style, reeling off three wins without conceding, highlighted by their 7-0 demolition of these opponents in Rijeka, so they should be confident of chalking up another victory to maintain their hopes of topping the group.
Croatia are not the force of old and haven't beaten England in five games since their 2018 World Cup semi-final win, losing each of the last four meetings, and it is difficult seeing them reversing last month's one-sided demolition on foreign soil.
However, the reverse fixture is the only game in their last 11 competitive outings in which they failed to score, having found the net in both defeats to world champions Spain, as well as bagging two in their 4-2 loss to England at the World Cup and their last-16 exit at the hands of Portugal.
Even in that 7-0 capitulation, they created an xG of 1.39 while Mateo Kovacic missed the target with the goal at his mercy.
England, whose strength clearly lies in attack, will have to make defensive changes too, with linchpin Marc Guehi having pulled out of the squad with a hip injury, so a fired-up Croatia side can at least strike at Wembley, even if it may be in another defeat.
Alternative Bet: Jude Bellingham to provide an assist @ 2/1
Jude Bellingham enjoyed a standout World Cup and has carried that elite level of performance into the Nations League, cementing his place as England's number 10.
While he clearly has an eye for goal, bagging seven in the showpiece in North America, he also has an obvious talent for setting up others. The Real Madrid ace was particularly effective against Croatia, assisting three of England's seven goals in Rijeka last month, scoring one of his own to boot.
Bellingham also provided another assist in the opening defeat to Spain, and odds of 2/1 to grab a fifth in five games in the Nations League are certainly worth considering.
England v Croatia Bet Builder Tip
- England to win
- Anthony Gordon to Score
- Most Corners: England
- Mateo Kovacic to be Booked
Pays 10/1
England have won the last four meetings with Croatia, including both this year, winning 4-2 at the World Cup and 7-0 in Rijeka.
Anthony Gordon seems to have taken his game to a new level since his move to Barcelona, cementing his place on the left with three goals in three games, and having tormented Croatia in Rijeka, he can add to his tally.
England have won the corner count in all of their last five games and can do so again as they are likely to dominate possession at Wembley and will attack down both flanks.
Ivan Perisic's ban will not do Croatia any favours although Vatreni won just six corners in their last three matches combined with him playing anyway.
As in Rijeka, Mateo Kovacic is likely to have his hands full trying to contain England in midfield but with multiple threats to contend with he may go a little too far and pick up his second booking against the Three Lions in as many games.
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Key Match Stats
- England have won three and lost one of four games to hold second place in Group A3 on nine points
- Croatia have lost three and won only one to lie third on three points
- England beat Croatia 7-0 in Rijeka last month to make it four successive wins in the head-to-heads
- Harry Kane leads England's scoring charts with six goals in four games in this Nations League
- Anthony Gordon has scored in each of the three games he has played
- Jude Bellingham has provided four assists, three of which came against Croatia
- Vatreni have scored only four goals in the Nations League, but have notched at least once in 10 of their last 11 competitive fixtures
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
