Croatia host England behind closed doors in this UEFA Nations League (UNL) Group A3 clash in Rijeka, with both sides knowing three points are a near necessity if they’re to have any realistic hopes of claiming top spot.
Match News and Current Form
Slaven Bilić’s first two games back in charge of Croatia yielded a 2-1 win in the Czech Republic and a humbling 4-1 defeat by Spain, results most would argue were to be expected. They’ll now look to right the wrongs of their Spain defeat at home, where they haven’t lost a competitive fixture since Turkey beat them in October 2023 (W8, D1). A 2-0 defeat to Belgium in a pre-World Cup friendly in their most recent outing in Rijeka should serve to temper expectations here, as should the fact that their last six international defeats all came against top-ten FIFA-ranked nations.
England got their UNL campaign up and running on Tuesday by overcoming ten-man Czech Republic (W 2-0), bouncing back from a 3-2 defeat to Spain in their opener. It’s the Spanish who Thomas Tuchel’s men are trying to keep pace with at the Group A3 summit, so securing a first clean sheet in seven attempts in beating the Czechs should prove a timely boost as they bid to post a fifth successive away win in the UNL. Eight away wins on the spin in competitive action hint that another three points here are a distinct possibility, although the fact their win against Czech Republic is their only one across their last six League A road trips (D2, L3) should keep feet firmly on the ground.
Head-to-Head History
England’s 4-2 win over Croatia in the 2026 World Cup group stage was their third consecutive H2H victory, although the honours are even in Croatia (W1, D1, L1).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Croatia have kept a first-half clean sheet in four of their last five internationals.
Four of Croatia’s last five home games produced a goal in second-half stoppage time.
Six of England’s last seven matches saw both teams score and over 2.5 goals.
England scored first in four of their last five fixtures played on foreign soil.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Croatia’s Dion Beljo has scored five goals across his last four appearances for club and country after his strike against Spain - four of those goals arrived between the 20th and 30th minute. Usually threatening a little later than that, Anthony Gordon has scored between the 30th and 60th minute in each of his last three appearances for England.
Martin Erlić, Josip Juranović and Josip Stanišić all missed Croatia’s defeat to Spain, a fate which befell England duo Ezri Konsa and Nico O’Reilly against the Czech Republic.
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Betting Analysis
The visitors’ H2H record is compelling, but their tendency to concede means backing England to win and both teams to score is a play worth considering.
Author: John Pennington