England will be chasing back-to-back wins in the UEFA Nations League when they travel to HNK Rijeka to face Croatia on October 3.

Croatians Aiming to Respond Following Poor Defensive Showing

Slaven Bilic would have been disappointed with his team’s display on Tuesday, as Croatia failed to build on a MD1 win after being thumped 4-1 by Spain.

Defensive improvement will be required by the nation, as they have now allowed eight goals in their previous four. Meanwhile, they have kept just one clean sheet in their last 12 fixtures.

Dion Drena Beljo will be important in the final third, with his consolation goal against Spain being his fifth goal in five appearances. Luka Modric could be recalled after being rested on Tuesday, while Luka Vuskovic is in contention to start.

Croatia predicted lineup vs England (4-3-3): Livakovic; Smolcic, Pongracic, Vuskovic, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic, Sutalo; Sucic, Beljo, Perisic

Tuchel Aiming for Back-to-Back Wins

England closed the gap on Spain to three points at the top of the Nations League Group A3 after a professional 2-0 win over Czechia on Tuesday.

Thomas Tuchel handed starts to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Lewis Hall, who impressed in the full-back roles. Anthony Gordon maintained his excellent form, scoring for the third international running. Harry Kane has now scored six goals in five appearances.

Most pleasing for Tuchel would have been the clean sheet, England’s first in six matches. Nico O’Reilly and Ezri Konsa could both miss out due to injury. Jordan Pickford is expected to return in goal.

England predicted lineup vs Croatia (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Guehi, Chalobah, Hall; Anderson, Scott; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane

Croatia vs England Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Over 2 Goals
  • Odds: 1.32 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: A2RHT
  • Correct score prediction: Croatia 1-3 England

Key stats:

  • At least 3 goals have been scored in six of the last eight head-to-heads.
  • Over 2 goals have been scored in six of England’s previous seven.
  • Croatia have conceded at least two goals in five of their last nine.

Based on the recent World Cup meeting between England and Croatia, another high-scoring encounter should be expected on Saturday.

England's 4-2 win in the summer means six of the last eight head-to-heads have seen at least 3 goals. High-scoring matches are also common when England are involved, with six of their previous seven seeing at least three goals.

Croatia’s defensive record is also a concern ahead of this clash, as they have conceded at least two goals in five of their last nine internationals.

Croatia vs England Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: England
  • Odds: 1.9 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: QRTHT

The away win is the value selection this week, especially considering that there is no home-field advantage given that the match will be played behind closed doors.

England’s red-hot form this year has been eye-catching, winning six of their last eight, with their only defeats over that period coming against the nations that contested the World Cup final.

England’s attacking quality has also shone, with at least two goals scored in seven of their previous eight. The Three Lions have also recorded wins in the three most recent head-to-heads.

Verdict: Over 2 Goals (1.32) — Croatia 1-3 England