England and Croatia meet in the Uefa Nations League on Saturday at 5pm (UK time) in what could be a fierce battle for second.
The two sides have taken three points from their opening two games, with England ahead on goal difference. England opened their Nations League campaign with a 3-2 defeat to Spain, a thrilling game at Wembley. But the Three Lions bounced back to beat Czech Republic 2-0 last time out.
Croatia, meanwhile, beat Czech Republic 2-1 in Prague in their first game — the start of the new Slaven Bilic era. But they were routinely beaten by world champions Spain in their second match, beaten 4-1 in Seville.
These two nations have met 11 times before, with England winning seven. You only need to go back a few months to find the most-recent match, with England beating Croatia 4-2 in their first game of the 2026 World Cup.
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Croatia vs England team news
England team news
Nico O’Reilly has withdrawn from the England squad through injury and will not feature again in the international break. The Manchester City man started England’s defeat to Spain but missed the win over Czech Republic. Lewis Hall started in his place in Prague and will likely continue at left-back on Saturday. Trent Alexander-Arnold made long-awaited returning to the starting lineup on the right and should join Hall.
There will be a change in goal with Jordan Pickford confirmed to be starting England’s next two matches. Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa may return as a centre-back duo, as England’s first-choice pairing. Trevoh Chalobah is expected to drop out of the starting XI despite contributing to England’s clean sheet last time out.
Jude Bellingham is another expected to return to the starting lineup, with Morgan Rogers likely to drop out. But the rest of the attack should remain the same with Harry Kane leading the line, flanked by Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon.
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Croatia team news
Bilic has no fresh injury concerns from the defeat to Spain, but there may still be a change. Luka Modric came off the bench in midweek so may return to the starting lineup alongside Mateo Kovacic. He will be crucial in helping Croatia control the midfield battle, upon which the match could be won. But that could be the only change.
Dominik Livakovic is Croatia’s undisputed No.1, while Josko Gvardiol and Ivan Smolcic are the full-backs in the current squad. Luka Vuskovic may have to make do with another bench role, with Josip Sutalo and Marin Pongracic the starting centre-backs.
With a move to a back four, Ivan Perisic has advanced up the pitch once more, back into his left-wing role. He should continue there, with Marco Pasalic on the right. Petar Sucic may continue in the No.10, though Croatia do have a lot of options including Martin Baturina. Dion Beljo scored against Spain so is likely to keep his spot leading the line.
England vs Croatia predicted lineups
England (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Konsa, Guehi, Hall; Lewis-Skelly, Anderson; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Croatia (4-2-3-1): Livakovic; Smolcic, Sutalo, Pongracic, Gvardiol; Modric, Kovacic; Mario Pasalic, Sucic, Perisic; Beljo.