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England Vs Croatia Prediction And Odds

England Vs Croatia Prediction And Odds

England's journey to Euro 2020 glory begins on Sunday as they renew hostilities with Croatia

Robert Mann

Robert Mann

The European Championships are finally underway and England's journey to Euro 2020 glory begins on Sunday as they renew hostilities with Croatia.

Three years after the Croats dashed the Three Lions' World Cup dreams, the two sides will clash at Wembley Stadium - the home of English football - in their Euro 2020 opener.

Gareth Southgate's exceptional English crop are already being tipped by many to make history and win the European showpiece - with the visit of Croatia representing a stern test in front of 22,500 optimistic supporters.

Gareth Southgate's England are the current second-favourites to win Euro 2020
Gareth Southgate's England are the current second-favourites to win Euro 2020

Even by the usual pre-tournament standards and national expectation, Southgate's youthful, talented and experienced side will head into the contest hoping to end 55 years of hurt.

According to the bookmakers, the Three Lions are the current second-favourites to win the tournament - and it comes as no surprise, too, especially given the talent among the ranks.

Euro 2020 will conclude on July 11 at Wembley, with the winners walking the famous steps up to the Royal Box to collect the coveted prize.

Will it be England who go on to win it? We can only hope, but first, the Three Lions have to go through a Croatia side that has a plethora of talent among its ranks.

England vs Croatia betting tips & predictions

England are 4/6 to win, with Croatia priced at 19/4 to come away with the victory. A draw is priced at 13/5.

Prediction: 2-1 (7/1)

Half-Time/Full-Time: Draw/England (10/3)

England have won 14 of their last 15 home matches and the nation are heavily fancied in this afternoon's match.

The Three Lions go into this year's contest with an extraordinarily talented squad
The Three Lions go into this year's contest with an extraordinarily talented squad

However, the Three Lions are quite slow starters and that was even more evident against Austria and Romania in their pre-tournament warm-up games last week.

With that said, we think England to draw the first half and then come out all guns blazing for the second is a bulletproof bet.

To score and win: Phil Foden (4/1)

Phil Foden can do no wrong at the moment - especially with his new trailblazing Gazza-like haircut.

The 21-year-old heads into the tournament off the back of winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award after a superb season with Manchester City.

Phil Foden is looking to play a key role at Euro 2020 this summer after a strong domestic campaign
Phil Foden is looking to play a key role at Euro 2020 this summer after a strong domestic campaign

Dubbed the 'Stockport Iniesta', Foden has become one of City's most important players, playing 50 times in all competitions, scoring 16 goals and assisting 10.

It is only a matter of time before he replicates that same form in an England shirt - and what better time than to do it at this year's European Championships.

Request A Bet: Kane, Grealish & Modric 1+ shots on target each (5/1)

England talisman Harry Kane, the creative genius of Jack Grealish and Croatian playmaker Luka Modric all to have one or more shots on goal sounds like a given, doesn't it?

And a price of 5/1 is far too juicy to miss on that basis.

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

Please gamble responsibly. For more information visit: https://www.begambleaware.org.

England team news

Almost certain to miss the game is Harry Maguire, leaving Gareth Southgate with a decision of who to include at centre-back, presumably alongside John Stones.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold pulling out of the squad with a thigh injury, Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Ben White was called up - and he could even start.

England's Chelsea and Manchester City contingent, who played in the Champions League final last month, will all be available - with Mason Mount, Reece James and Phil Foden all likely to start the game.

Other than that, England have a fully-fit side to face Croatia and it will be interesting to see who makes Southgate's prestigious starting line-up.

Croatia team news

A starting trio of Luka Modric, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic is as good as any in world football - and England will have to be wary of just that.

Looking further back for a moment, Dominik Livakovic should take his place between the sticks after making the second-highest number of saves in the Europa League.

Ante Rebic on the right and Ivan Perisic on the left offer a blend of industry and trickery down the flanks.

Perisic, of course, scored the 68th-minute equaliser as Croatia came from 1-0 down to beat England 2-1 at the 2018 World Cup semi-final. Yep, it still hurts.

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Topics: Euro 2020, Croatia, England