England v Croatia betting tips: Winner takes it all at Wembley

Updated: 11/12/2024

Odds and preview for Nations League clash

England play Croatia for the third time inside six months. The fixture is fast becoming a modern- day rivalry between the pair.

The Croatians’ dramatic late-win over Spain on Thursday makes this a winner-takes-all affair at Wembley this afternoon.

Can Gareth Southgate’s men continue the nation’s feel-good factor or will Croatia be the spoilers yet again?

Tune into Sky Sports Football from 2:00pm to see who qualifies for the last four. But stick around to check out all the key info and odds right here…

Head-to-Head

England have held the edge in this fixture for the most part. The 4-1 and 5-1 wins in 2008 and 2009 respectively may have been where the gap between the two sides peaked.

In more recent times, Croatia have come to the fore culminating in that 2-1 win over the Three Lions in the World Cup last summer.

After dashing England fans’ dreams the pair played out a 0-0 draw last month. This now means the two teams have a straight shoot-out to top the group.

Likely XIs

England vs Croatia - Football tactics and formations
After making a raft of changes for the match against the USA, Gareth Southgate could revert to the tried and tested.

Jadon Sancho could feel unfortunate to miss out after a lively showing on Thursday.

Jordan Pickford is now firmly England’s number one. He could play behind a back-four that features Joe Gomez and Luke Shaw.

A front-three of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford should be reinstated.

The conundrum for Southgate is in the midfield. Ross Barkley didn’t play a minute against the US, so should start.

Jordan Henderson and either the attacking Dele Alli or more defensive Eric Dier could also get the nod.

Croatia will be riding high after the last-gasp winner against Spain. They should remain unchanged from the 4-3-3 formation they used in that game.

Key Battles

The England forward-line were on fire in the opening half against Spain last month.

Croatia’s centre-backs Domagoj Vida and Dejan Lovren will have to produce a similar performance to that of the World Cup semi-final to stop them again.

Ante Rebic and Ivan Perisic will be known to the England squad after the summer. But it’s forward Andrej Kramaric that could be their scourge this time.

He’s become a prolific force in the Bundesliga and is someone the Three Lions defence will have to be wary of.

Barkley could be Southgate’s trump card. The forward-thinking midfielder has had a renaissance at Chelsea this season.

If he can boss things today then England could get some joy.

Match odds

England are 20/23 to pick up the home win they need.

The draw that would see Spain advance is at 13/5. Both teams to score is in at 4/6.

There have been at least three goals six in the nine meetings between the two sides. It’s 8/11 to see Over 2.5 Goals and 9/5 for Over 3.5 goals.

A Croatia win at 3/1 would send England down to League B. Kramaric to net first is 8/1.

Perisic to repeat his heroics from the semi-final in Moscow and score is 14/5 anytime.

Harry Kane is England’s chief goal goal-getter and is 19/20 to bag. Callum Wilson might come on if the Three Lions need a goal.

The Bournemouth striker is 8/5 anytime.

Click here for more England v Croatia odds

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing

Original source: http://news.coral.co.uk/football/england-v-croatia-betting-tips-winner-takes-it-all-at-wembley_.html

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