Croatia vs England: Nations League Predictions, best bets and odds

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With Spain setting the pace at the top of Group A3, this has quickly become a must-win game for both sides if they're to keep their hopes of progression alive.

Slaven Bilić's Croatia were always likely to find Spain a tough early test, and the 4-1 scoreline won't have been entirely unexpected given their last six international defeats have all come against top-ten FIFA-ranked opposition.

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They'll take some comfort from their form at home, though, where they've lost just once competitively since October 2023, even if a recent 2-0 friendly defeat to Belgium in Rijeka tempers expectations slightly.

England, by contrast, look to be hitting their stride at exactly the right time. Thomas Tuchel's side needed a response after losing their opener to Spain, and they delivered one in style against the Czechs, keeping their first clean sheet in seven attempts in the process.

With eight straight competitive away wins to their name, there's genuine reason for optimism heading into Croatia, even if recent away form in the Nations League specifically has been patchier.

Croatia - England, Saturday, 5:00 pm

Croatia vs England tips

•    Anthony Gordon to have 1+ shots on target - 61/100 with Bet365

•    Over 1.5 goals - 1/5 with Bet365

•    England to win - 17/20 with Bet365

Odds courtesy of Bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.

Anthony Gordon to have 1+ shots on target

Gordon has developed into a reliable source of end product for England, finding the net in each of his last three appearances for the national side, with all three goals arriving between the 30th and 60th minute.

Against a Croatia side who conceded four times against Spain and will need to be wary of England's pace on the counter, Gordon looks well placed to get another effort on target here.

At 61/100 with Bet365, backing him for at least one shot on target looks a sound way to get involved in England's attacking threat.

Tip: Anthony Gordon to have 1+ shots on target @ 61/100

Bet explanation: This bet wins if Anthony Gordon registers at least one shot on target during the match.

Over 1.5 goals

England's recent matches have rarely been short of goals, with six of their last seven games producing both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals in total.

Their head-to-head record against Croatia backs that trend up too, with their most recent meeting at the World Cup finishing 4-2.

Croatia at home have a habit of producing late drama, with four of their last five at home seeing a goal arrive in second-half stoppage time. With goals at both ends a realistic possibility, Over 1.5 goals at the short price of 1/5 with Bet365 looks a solid foundation.

Tip: Over 1.5 goals @ 1/5

Bet explanation: This bet wins if there are two or more goals scored in total between Croatia and England.

England to win

England's recent history in this fixture makes for excellent reading, having won their last meeting 4-2 at the World Cup as part of a run of three consecutive victories over Croatia.

They also arrive in considerably better form coming into this one, having responded to their Spain defeat with a composed win over the Czechs, while Croatia are still digesting a chastening result of their own against the same opponent.

With England boasting eight straight competitive away wins and a squad capable of hurting Croatia on the counter, there's plenty to like about backing the visitors here. 

Tip: England to win @ 17/20

Bet explanation: This bet wins if England beat Croatia regardless of the scoreline.

Croatia vs England odds

•    Croatia - 3/1 with Bet365

•    Draw - 14/5 with Bet365

•    England - 17/20 with Bet365

Odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.