England vs Croatia Prediction

by Mick Burrows from
England vs Croatia Prediction

Making an England vs Croatia prediction ahead of the tournament can be difficult, taking into account that it is the opening game of their group at this 23rd World Cup. Although the early England vs Croatia betting odds might suggest an England victory at 4/7 (1.57), there are as always many other factors to consider.

Here we have produced a brief England vs Croatia betting guide in which we preview the game, looking at previous encounters, discuss potential line-ups and key players, as well as looking at where the value bets may lie. We also provide several predictions for punters to reflect on and direct them towards the best brand(s) at which to place their wagers.

1. England vs Croatia Betting Preview

These two sides both come into this tournament with excellent records from the previous two World Cups, meaning that any Croatia vs England prediction is delivered with a hint of caution. At the 2022 edition in Qatar, England fell to eventual runners up France at the quarter-final stage, whilst Croatia lost in the semis to Argentina - who of course went onto lift the trophy. They did however, clinch a third place finish after defeating Morocco in the bronze medal match and in doing so validated their position as genuine contenders.

Four years previous to that game the Croatians broke England's hearts in the semi-finals with an extra-time victory in Russia. Nevertheless, the England vs Croatia head to head record has Thomas Tuchel's side ahead going into what will be their 10th competitive meeting with each other.

This fixture will be contested at the massive Dallas Stadium, on 17 June to kick start Group L, which also features Ghana and Panama. In a World Cup expected to produce some innovative coaching and fluid and adaptable systems, both England and Croatia will be very much front and centre when it comes to new tactical trends and sophisticated strategies with some possibly making an early appearance here. Now that you have the general information, we can move on to England vs Croatia betting odds. If you're interested in betting on more matches in that event, don't forget to also check out our article about the best World Cup 2026 betting promo codes.

2. England vs Croatia Betting Odds

The early England vs Croatia odds are unsurprisingly favouring Thomas Tuchel's side, with bet365 showing them at 4/7 (1.57), their opponents 15/4 (4.75) and it's 3/1 (4.00) the draw. It actually may be worth looking beyond the England vs Croatia win betting market to find the real value.

The correct score always proves popular and currently a 2-1 victory to England is showing at 8/1 (9.00) with bet365 and it's 16/1 (17.00) for the result to be in reverse. For those sitting on the fence it's 15/2 (8.50) for a 1-1 draw.

An England vs Croatia both teams to score bet is 10/11 (1.91) for both the β€œyes” and β€œno” outcomes - probably highlighting how tight this game could be.

Other popular bets include an England vs Croatia total goals bet and the half-time/full-time option, where bet365 have a Croatia/England result at 20/1 (21.00), or England/Draw at a tempting 14/1 (15.00).

3. England vs Croatia Team News

Thomas Tuchel has steadily been instilling a club-focused mentality into his team, bringing more of a direct approach with an emphasis on intensity, meaning an increase in ball recoveries in the opponent's half. As for the situation he found himself in when the groups have been revealed, he had this to say:

Difficult group, difficult opener. Croatia and Ghana are two regulars in World Cups and two proud and strong nations. Panama I don't know much about at the moment, but we will before the tournament starts. - Thomas Tuchel | bbc.com

Harry Kane will naturally be the focal point, but looking at the England vs Croatia predicted lineups from an English view point, it's the number 10 role which could give the three-lions coach the biggest headache. He will choose from Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Morgan Rogers, and Cole Palmer – all very capable of turning a game by themselves.

That said, it could be the influence of the Arsenal pair of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka which proves the difference on the day. Marc Guehi has also emerged as a huge player since his transfer to Manchester City and will be vital, not just in this game but the tournament as a whole.

Zlatko Dalić who has led the Croatians since 2017 and it may be that he will look to rely less on his star man Luka Modric and free up some of their emerging and exciting talent which comes in the form of teenage centre back Luka Vuskovic, plus the likes of Igor Matanovic, Franjo Ivanovic and Marco Pasalic.

However, the likely England vs Croatia team news from the Balkan's perspective will still feature many of the old guard too, including the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Josko Gvardiol, Ivan Perisic and Andrej Kramaric.

4. England vs Croatia Predictions

The England vs Croatia stats from recent clashes between the two nations point towards a close game, making forecasting tricky, but there is enough information for us to put forward several England vs Croatia betting picks for punters to consider. Moreover, if you're excited about the results of the whole tournament, check out our 2026 World Cup winner pick.

Prediction Description
Prediction No. 1 Draw 1-1 England vs Croatia correct score bet - 15/2 (8.50) currently with bet365.
Prediction No. 2 Half-time/Full-time Croatia/Draw - currently 16/1 (17.00) with bet365 as an England vs Croatia betting prediction.
Prediction No. 3 Total goals Under 2.5 1/1 (2.00) with bet365 - in the England vs Croatia over under bet market.
Prediction No. 4 The Croatians to score first as an attractive England vs Croatia betting tip - showing at 7/4 (2.75) with bet365.

5. Where to Bet on England vs Croatia

Irrespective of any England vs Croatia betting predictions, punters will always be keen to find the best prices for their chosen selections. Naturally there will be no shortage of options given the global interest in the competition, but it is vitally important to gamble with a trusted brand and consequently bettors need look no further than bet365 for where to bet on England vs Croatia.

The brand is totally secure with outstanding features and by creating an account and using our bonus code bet365, newly registered members qualify for some fabulous promotions and access to all the latest offers. Other notable bookmakers include the likes of Unibet, Netbet and William Hill, all completely trustworthy with good names in the industry.

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6. England vs Croatia Predictions – FAQ

6.1 ❓Who else is in the same group as England and Croatia?

These two sides are joined in Group L by Ghana and Panama.

6.2 ⚽ Which England vs Croatia betting markets will be most in demand?

The England vs Croatia odds for an outright win are generous towards the Croatians, but value could be found in markets such as: correct score, half-time/full-time and the England vs Croatia over under bet.

6.3 πŸ“Ί How to watch England vs Croatia match?

The tournament is covered worldwide, with the likes of Fox, NBC Universal and Bell Media in charge of broadcasting rights, and for Croatia the public broadcasting company HRT and in the UK both BBC and ITV, all are extensively covering the competition.

6.4 πŸ“ Which England vs Croatia betting tips are likely to prove popular?

With both these sides looking capable of creating plenty of opportunities one of the most popular bets could be England vs Croatia both teams to score.

6.5 πŸ“Š What is the likely outcome of England vs Croatia?

The opening game of a group can sometimes prove to be a cagy affair with neither side wanting to find themselves playing catch-up, so a considered England vs Croatia prediction is for the game to finish in a score draw.

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