England vs Croatia Prediction & Odds

England enters their World Cup opener against Croatia with strong recent form, having won two of their last three matches for a W, D, L, W, W record, despite a pre-tournament injury setback to defender Tino Livramento. Croatia, meanwhile, has a mixed recent form of W, W, L, L, W, but boasts a historical edge in crucial World Cup encounters, despite England's 1-0 win in 2021 and 2-1 victory in 2018 head-to-head results. The match marks England's first real test under Thomas Tuchel in this World Cup, following a flawless qualification campaign where they did not concede a goal.

England will heavily rely on captain Harry Kane, who enters the tournament in scorching form after a prolific club season with 61 goals in all competitions. Midfield maestro Jude Bellingham, despite battling for the starting No. 10 role, will be pivotal with his dynamic presence and playmaking abilities. For Croatia, the evergreen Luka Modric, at 40, continues to be the team's heartbeat and orchestrator in his fifth World Cup, joined by the formidable Josko Gvardiol anchoring the defense.

The midfield battle will be central, with England's energetic lineup looking to assert dominance over Croatia's experienced, technical core. Croatia aims to control possession and disrupt England's attacking flow, particularly targeting the spaces Jude Bellingham operates in, which is identified as England's most dangerous recurring situation. England's defensive solidity will be tested early, especially following the injury to Livramento, while Croatia relies on its veteran leadership to defy expectations once again.