- History: Croatia's 2018 World Cup runners-up suffered their 2-0 home defeat to Belgium in the Nations League in September, a loss which began their current two-game losing streak.
- Recent form: Croatia have won three and lost two of their last five games in all competitions (D0), while England have won three, drawn one and lost one of their last five (D1, L1).
- Stats: The Three Lions average 1.50 goals per game over their last six home games in all competitions (W3, D1, L2), while Croatia average 1.40 goals scored and 1.20 conceded per away game over the last five in all competitions (W3, D1, L1).
High-stakes World Cup opener awaits The Three Lions and Croatia
This is not just a World Cup, Group L battle, this is a 'Game of the Century' rematch and potentially Luka Modrić's international swansong. Croatia have a lot to live up to and could be set up to sit deep and make a close game out of this if England don't break them early.
Zlatko Dalić's side have three wins and two defeats in their last five, the latter two coming in a two-game skid that began with a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Belgium. England have been in fine form of late, winning three of their last five, including the 2-0 victory away to Albania in World Cup qualifying last month. Thomas Tuchel has had just months to install his tactical philosophy but he's clearly made his mark on this squad, which has played with a flexible three or four at the back, high pressing, quick vertical transitions through Bellingham and Rice and overlapping wing-backs.
Experience and quality to be decisive
Tactical setup
Dalić has the tournament experience and tactical nous to adapt, however, and his Croatians will surely set up in a compact 4-3-3, which can flip to a 4-2-3-1 if they come under pressure from a dominant possession team.
Midfield battle
This will be a battle of the midfield in many ways and England's ability to sustain their pressing game against this experienced Croatia side will be key. They have the talent to do it with Bellingham's ball-carrying and Rice's screening ability but Modrić's ability to dictate the tempo and control the game from the middle of the park will be vital.
Three Lions’ home advantage and form may be telling
It will be interesting to see how Dalić decides to deploy Kovačić, who is the real pivot of this Croatia side and can dictate how it plays through the centre of the field. He can compress spaces in the defensive third while providing control and a launching point in the attacking third.
The visitors are a tough nut to crack, however, and I think they'll keep it close in this clash, although England's fresher legs and better form give them the edge.
- England come into this as favorites at 1.78 with Croatia priced at 4.82, which is about right for a game played on English home turf.
- Backing 'Under 2.5 goals' could be the play here at 1.74 as both teams tend to set up in a defensive manner and have similar scoring records over recent away and home games respectively.
- Harry Kane has been lethal for England of late, scoring four goals in his last five appearances, and can pounce for a goal if any, while Croatia will hope their two stars can create enough in the big occasion.
