England v Croatia betting tips: England hope youth gives them the edge

The draw is on offer at 12/5 and England are 11/10 to drop points in their opening match.

England v Croatia head-to-head

The two teams have met twice since Croatia’s extra-time victory in Russia.

They were drawn together in the same group for the inaugural Nations League and a 0-0 draw in Croatia in October 2018 was followed by a 2-1 win for England at Wembley 13 months later.

Croatia took the lead through Andrej Kramaric just before the hour mark but goals from Jesse Lingard and Harry Kane in the final 15 minutes secured victory for the home side.

A drawn first half followed by a home win is a 29/10 option in the England v Croatia odds while both teams to score is odds against at 23/20.

England are 11/1 to win from behind while a home win and both teams to score could be a popular pick at 10/3.

Previous XI

Croatia: Livakovic, Vrsaljko, Barisic, Caleta-Car, Vida, Perisic, Kovacic, Modric, Brozovic, Rebic, Petkovic.

Team news

Defender Harry Maguire trained with England on Saturday as he recovers from ankle ligament damage but his availability for the opening game looks doubtful.

Jordan Henderson also trained with the group as he builds fitness, but goalkeeper Dean Henderson – set to be back-up to Jordan Pickford this summer – was not involved due to a knock.

Key battles

It is largely a clash between youth and experience with England hoping several of their young stars can shine on the big stage while Croatia continue to rely largely on tried and tested players.

Luka Modric will try to run the show in midfield for Croatia but the 12-month delay to the tournament will not have helped the former Tottenham man, who turns 36 in September and is 33/1 to again be named player of the tournament.

Croatia look short of the firepower which England possess, with Harry Kane the 11/2 favourite in the Euro 2020 top scorer odds.

England will hope to overrun Croatia, with the likes of Phil Foden, Mason Mount and Jack Grealish providing plenty of energy and creativity behind Kane, who is 13/5 to open the scoring and 7/4 to be on target in an England win.

View the latest Euro 2020 odds

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication