England vs Croatia Tips, Predictions & 15/1 Bet Builder
Lewis Watson 
Scott McGlynn
Rivalries are renewed in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday as England and Croatia go head-to-head in a major tournament once again.
These two sides have met competitively 10 times since 2003, with England leading 6-3 in wins with one draw in 2008.
It’s England’s first major tournament fixture without Gareth Southgate in close to a decade, as Thomas Tuchel attempts to land England’s first piece of silverware after 60 years of hurt. If they are to be successful at this year’s World Cup, they will be expecting to get up and running with a win over Croatia.
Tuchel has selected his squad on what they bring rather than who they are, with headline omissions including Harry Maguire, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer likely to put the German under pressure if the Three Lions don’t start fast at this tournament.
Croatia have performed superbly at major tournaments finishing runner-up at the 2018 World Cup and third in 2022, but they are now at the tail end of their dubbed golden generation of players.
Veterans Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic and Ivan Perisic have all earned call-ups once again from manager Zlatko Dalic — elsewhere across the squad they are looking to transition into a more modern outfit.
Neither side lost a game in qualifying for this tournament, winning a combined 15/16 and conceding just four goals (all against Croatia).
Let’s take a look at the best World Cup betting tips for Wednesday’s clash as Thomas Tuchel’s Three Lions get their campaign up and running.
England vs Croatia Tips
Our top three tips for England’s opener come with prices from the best betting sites.
Tip 1: England to win
Thomas Tuchel appears to know what he is doing with this England outfit.
They didn’t concede a goal in qualifying and have barely conceded a shot on goal since moving out to Florida, Orlando for their pre-tournament friendly wins over New Zealand and Costa Rica.
Croatia, of course, have an abundance of talent, but they are missing that out and out deadly striker that can consistently ask questions of the England defence.
England’s starting XI is one of the strongest at the tournament, and in the air-conditioned Dallas stadium should take all three points.
Tip 2: England to win by 2 goals
They’ve learnt to look after the ball better under Tuchel than they did under Southgate, and after a draining 90 minutes, Croatian legs should feel the strain quicker than England’s.
If England have a lead going into the latter stages, openings should appear for them to hammer home their advantage.
Tip 3: England to win & keep a clean sheet, Harry Kane to score & Marin Pongracic to be shown a card
Harry Kane is inevitable in an England shirt.
Tuchel has built his squad around the Bayern Munich striker, who scored an incredible 58 goals for the Bundesliga champions last season.
He’s on penalties for England too, and with 79 goals for his national side needs no encouragement in front of goal.
Marin Pongracic has been booked in four of his last eight appearances for Croatia and Fiorentina.
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