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England – Croatia Prediction

England

L D

20:00

17 Jun · Wed

Croatia

L L W

Venue: AT&T Stadium Referee: TBA

Betting Tip

3 picks

Top Pick

Total Team 2 Under: 1.5 Croatia under 1.5 goals 60% confidence

2.40odds

England conceded just 0.4 per game with three clean sheets in five, while Croatia showed defensive and attacking inconsistency.

Back this tip

Total Team 1 Over: 0.5 72%

England over 0.5 goals

1.46 odds

Total:Under: 3.0 70%

Under 3.0 goals

1.37 odds

England VS Croatia Prediction

England and Croatia renew a rivalry rich in recent history, from the 2018 World Cup semi-final to subsequent tournament meetings. This time they collide in a group-stage opener, with England among the favourites and Croatia's golden generation chasing one more deep run. Both know an early result can set the tone, so caution is likely to temper ambition.

England solid and well-drilled

England arrive defensively miserly: a 0-1 loss to Japan, a 1-1 draw with Uruguay, a 2-0 win over Albania, a 2-0 victory against Serbia and a 5-0 rout of Latvia, averaging 2.0 scored and just 0.4 conceded with three clean sheets under Thomas Tuchel. Jack Grealish and Ben White are ruled out through injury, Levi Colwill was left out and Tino Livramento is short of match fitness, leaving Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham to headline a deep, balanced squad.

Croatia experienced but leaking

Croatia come in inconsistent: a 0-2 loss to Belgium, a 1-3 defeat to Brazil, a 2-1 win over Colombia, a 3-2 victory against Montenegro and a 3-1 win over the Faroe Islands, averaging 1.8 scored and 1.8 conceded, the defensive numbers a worry against quality. Captain Luka Modric, who managed a facial injury, is expected to feature, as is the recovered Josko Gvardiol, with Mateo Kovacic and Lovro Majer providing craft but the back line looking vulnerable.

Prediction: England's defence should frustrate Croatia

England lead the head-to-head and won the most recent meeting, and form points the same way. This England versus Croatia prediction centres on England's clean-sheet habit against a leaking Croatia, so Croatia staying under 1.5 goals carries value rather than simply backing the favourites. Around it, England look good to score over 0.5, and the contest staying under three fits a cautious opener.