England vs Croatia Prediction: Can Thomas Tuchel & Co. Keep Their Winning Streak Intact Against Modric's Croatia?

Croatia travel to the beautiful Wembley Stadium in London to face off against Thomas Tuchel's England on matchweek 5 of the UEFA Nations League 2026/27. While the Three Lions are looking to keep their winning run intact, the Croatians are in desperate need of a second win in the group stages to keep their qualification hopes alive.

England have been to the UEFA Nations League final once, but suffered a disheartening loss to Spain in 2024. They are chasing their first-ever Nations League title and are behind Spain in the table so far; however, a win in this fixture will take them level on points with the 2026 World Cup winners, provided that they lose to the Czech Republic at the same time.

Croatia are under the new management of Slaven Bilić, and are looking to settle firmly post the World Cup. However, their run in the Nations League so far hasn't been up to the mark, with just one win in four games.

Ahead of this enthralling group stage clash, Sportsdunia brings you the England vs Croatia prediction article here, which tells you who are the favourites in this game and how the two teams shape up ahead of this head-to-head game.

England Injury and Suspension News

The news is that Marc Guéhi has pulled out of the Three Lions squad ahead of the England vs Croatia H2H game due to a muscle injury. Djed Spence and Ezri Konsa are occupied with their respective recovery programmes and will be missing out on this game as well.

Myles Lewis-Skelly is suspended for this game due to his second yellow card against Czechia in the previous Nations League group stage match.

Croatia Injury and Suspension News

Slaven Bilić has a long list of injuries ahead of the England vs Croatia H2H game. Luka Sucic, Kristijan Jakić, Franjo Ivanović, Josip Šutalo, and Marin Pongračić are the absentees, while Ivan Perišić misses out due to a red card against Spain in the last match.

England Predicted XI

With Marc Guehi out, Tuchel might hand James Hill his first start in the defensive line, and he could be paired up with Dan Burn as centre-backs. Jarell Quansah and Lewis Hall would be the designated fullbacks.

Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Elliot Anderson will surely constitute the midfield, with Barcelona winger Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, and Rio Ngumoha in attack.

England Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford

Defenders: Jarell Quansah, James Hill, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall

Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Rio Ngumoha, Jude Bellingham, Anthony Gordon

Forward: Harry Kane

Croatia Predicted XI

Slaven Bilić should go with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Ante Budimir as the sole striker up front. Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić should continue to play in the double pivot, with Martin Baturina in the attacking third. Josip Stanišić is the sure-shot starter at right back, with Barcelona 2nd goalkeeper, Dominik Livaković, in goal.

Croatia Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)

Goalkeeper: Dominik Livaković

Defenders: Josip Stanišić, Luka Vušković, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Joško Gvardiol

Midfielders: Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić, Nikola Vlašić, Mario Pašalić, Martin Baturina

Forward: Ante Budimir

England vs Croatia Head-to-Head Record

There have been quite some England vs Croatia Head to Head matches, which have left the footballing world awestruck on certain occasions. The Three Lions recently won 7-0 away from home, which remains their biggest win against this opposition, while Croatia's win in the 2018 World Cup remains more significant. Here are the last three head-to-head match records between the two sides.

Can Modric Inspire Croatia Away From Home? Check Sportsdunia's England vs Croatia Prediction

England currently occupy the second spot behind Spain in the Group and would like to keep it that way, with a win against the Croatians. The Three Lions have a stacked squad despite missing out on big names like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Reece James, which should be enough to get the job done.

All eyes will be on one of the best midfielders in the world currently, once again, Jude Bellingham, to put his artistry to work in this fixture. Elliot Anderson has emerged to be one of the star performers in the EPL this season, so midfield should be the least of the concerns for Thomas Tuchel.

On top of that, the current Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane has been performing better than ever, even playing as a central defensive midfielder at times when the team needs him to. Newcomers Jobe Bellingham, James Hill, and Rio Ngumoha could be seen making an impact in the second half, so overall England look like the superior team heading into this game.

The Croatia national football team also has some big names who have shown their quality on the international stage. Como's Martin Baturina will be key in creating chances, and he will be looking to replicate his club form in this Nations League.

Veteran Luka Modrić is expected to start in midfield once again, with Mateo Kovačić and Mario Pašalić. However, the midfield seems to be a bit slower in pace than what England possesses. Young Brighton & Hove Albion defender Luka Vušković will shoulder the responsibility to keep the dangerous England attacks away, along with Joško Gvardiol.

It is clear that the England national football team are a better side on paper, and one should expect the Three Lions to cruise comfortably in this fixture.

Sportsdunia's England vs Croatia Prediction: England 3-0 Croatia

Both sides enter this fixture with contrasting form, with England on a three-match winning streak while Croatia have suffered defeats in each of their last three outings.

The last game at home saw the Croatians concede 7, which would not be the case this time, but they are going to lose by a margin of at least 3-0, in front of the noisy Wembley crowd. This is Sportsdunia's final England vs Croatia prediction.