England vs Croatia Prediction & Picks - World Cup
World - World Cup
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by Mikaella McIntosh | in World Cup Picks
On Wednesday, it’s time for the final two groups to tackle their first game of the World Cup, one seeing European sides England and Croatia come together in Texas.
The Three Lions haven’t tasted world victory since all the way back in 1966, which happens to also be the only year that they hosted the tournament. Since then, they’ve had some promising performances, much to their fans’ delight, but ultimately, they’ve always fallen short, causing the nation lots of sorrow.
Notably, reaching the quarter-finals in the last World Cup, even better four years prior by making the semis in 2018, where they were actually eliminated by the very opponents that they’ll face in the first round in North America.
Speaking of which, The Croats have a superb record in this competition in recent years. They lost out to Argentina in the semi-finals in 2022, whilst also succeeding in reaching the final back in 2018 after dramatically knocking the English out. When the pair meet in Arlington, we should see a tight game, ahead of which, betting on under 2.5 goals is the best way to go.
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England vs Croatia Form
England and Croatia Latest Matches
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 10, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 6, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 27, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 16, 2025 - World Cup
Nov 13, 2025 - World Cup
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 10, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 6, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 27, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 13, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 9, 2025 - International Friendlies
6/6 (100%)
0/6 (0%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Nov 16, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 14, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 9, 2025 - World Cup
Jun 7, 2025 - World Cup
Nov 14, 2024 - UEFA Nations League
Oct 13, 2024 - UEFA Nations League
4/6 (67%)
0/6 (0%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 7, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 2, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 26, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 17, 2025 - World Cup
Nov 14, 2025 - World Cup
5/6 (83%)
0/6 (0%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 7, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 2, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 26, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 14, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 12, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 8, 2025 - World Cup
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Nov 17, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 9, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 5, 2025 - World Cup
Jun 6, 2025 - World Cup
Mar 23, 2025 - UEFA Nations League
England against Croatia : Head to Head (H2H)
50 %
25 %
25 %
Average stats (last H2H results)
Jun 13, 2021 - Euro
Nov 18, 2018 - UEFA Nations League
Oct 12, 2018 - UEFA Nations League
Jul 11, 2018 - World Cup
England - Croatia: Form Analysis
England’s warm-up campaign was mildly promising and largely predictable. After a shock defeat against a strong Japanese team back in March, The Three Lions resumed winning ways by beating New Zealand by a goal to zero in what was essentially a training exercise played at a low intensity. Thomas Tuchel’s men did step on the gas a little last time out, beating Costa Rica in more decisive fashion, scoring three goals in the process. They’ll need to go up another gear here.
The Three Lions resumed winning ways by beating New Zealand by a goal to zero in what was essentially a training exercise played at a low intensity.
Croatia’s build-up to this tournament has been mixed. In March, they defeated a decent Colombia team, scoring two goals in doing so, but they then came up short against Brazil, struggling to defend as they conceded three goals against the Samba Boys. That defeat preceded defeat against the Belgians, who outclassed the 2018 World Cup finalists, though they did bounce back to defeat Slovenia last time out, which means that they should be feeling more confident ahead of this game.
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Croatia v England last Lineups
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Substitutes
D. Henderson
J. Trafford
DefenderD. Burn
D. Spence
M. Guehi
J. Quansah
T. Livramento
MidfielderE. Eze
J. Henderson
K. Mainoo
M. Rogers
ForwardB. Saka
I. Toney
O. Watkins
M. Rashford
I. Pandur
D. Kotarski
DefenderL. Vuskovic
D. Caleta-Car
K. Jakic
J. Sutalo
MidfielderM. Pasalic
T. Fruk
L. Sucic
M. Baturina
P. Sucic
N. Vlasic
N. Moro
ForwardI. Matanovic
P. Musa
England & Croatia Squad Analysis
As one of the teams with plenty of options, especially offensively, the English could line up in a variety of ways against Croatia. Thomas Tuchel has some tough decisions to make, one of which may involve leaving the creative Eberechi Eze on the bench. It seems as if Jude Bellingham is the first-choice option behind lone forward Harry Kane, while Bukayo Saka is expected to return to his starting position on the right in place of Noni Madueke, who hilariously missed an open goal in England’s final warm-up game.
Thomas Tuchel has some tough decisions to make, one of which may involve leaving the creative Eberechi Eze on the bench.
The Croats have a settled squad, one that is brimming with experience, and it was an experienced XI that took to the field for that warm-up win against Slovenia last time out. Following that display, Zlatko Dalic won’t change much, which means that familiar names such as Mateo Kovacic, Josip Gvardiol, Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric and the legendary Luka Modric should all be in the starting XI.
England - Croatia Key Points
- England have conceded just two goals in their last ten matches combined.
- The Three Lions have scored one or zero goals in three out of their four games this year.
- Croatia have recently played two top teams, scoring one goal in two games.
- Tuchel’s men may have a hard time creating chances against a team happy to sit back.
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Our England vs Croatia Prediction
This England team has definitely been set up by new-manager Tuchel to hit on the counter attack, meaning they could struggle in games where they’re expected to break teams down. The Checkered Ones will be aware of this, and won’t see any need to go at the English with too much force. Since the start of 2026, England have played four games and have only scored more than one goal in one.
Croatia are starting the campaign with their hardest group fixture, and they don’t have the most sparkling record when facing the best nations in the world: Dalic’s team have recently played both Belgium and Brazil, scoring just one goal combined. Knowing that they have easier games to come, they’ll be happy to keep it low-key here, which could prompt a lack of goals.
Our England vs Croatia Pick: Under 2.5 Goals.
England vs Croatia - Other Interesting Picks
Tie
In the last couple of years, any time England have come up against slightly better teams, they’ve seemed to struggle in getting results. They may have lots of wins recently, but on closer inspection this has been against small nations; they faced defeat against Japan, a 1-1 lie against Uruguay and lost against Senegal three goals to zero.
Croatia have a very experienced side and have been led by the same manager for nine years, so they are used to grinding out positive results. Given that they have two easier games after this, the Croats will be more than happy with a tie in this game.
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England vs Croatia match : Frequently asked questions
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
