📌 Croatia vs England preview: team news, injuries, predicted lineups, stats and Harry Kane’s record chase in the UEFA Nations League.
Old rivals collide once again this Saturday as Croatia host England in Rijeka for their 2026–27 UEFA Nations League fixture. Both nations are locked on three points in League A Group 3 after picking up wins against Czechia, trailing group leaders Spain, who defeated them both.
The clash presents Harry Kane with another major milestone to chase. The in-form Bayern Munich striker has found the net in each of his previous five competitive away games for the Three Lions. One more strike in Croatia will see him enter an elite club of English players to score in six consecutive official away appearances.
Croatia will be forced to cope without the injured duo Martin Erlić and Josip Juranović. However, manager Slaven Bilić is preparing a number of changes following the defeat to Spain. Luka Modrić is set to anchor the midfield, while Luka Vušković and Josip Stanišić are expected to bolster the defensive line.
Manchester City’s Joško Gvardiol could shift to left-back to lock horns with Bukayo Saka. Further up the pitch, Igor Matanović is tipped to lead the attack, with veteran Ivan Perišić patrolling the left wing. Martin Baturina is also back in contention after overcoming an illness; the Como midfielder, who previously scored against England at the World Cup, is expected to pull the strings in the No. 10 role.
Thomas Tuchel goes into this high-profile clash dealing with an extensive absentee list. Marcus Rashford, John Stones, Declan Rice, Reece James, Cole Palmer, Dean Henderson, Valentino Livramento, Jed Spence, Dan Burn, Kobbie Mainoo, and Nico O’Reilly are all sidelined. Specifically, Rice, Mainoo, Palmer, and Rashford are officially ruled out.
Despite the personnel crisis, changes are expected in the Three Lions’ starting XI. Jordan Pickford is set to reclaim the gloves from James Trafford, while Lewis Hall and Trent Alexander-Arnold are likely to retain their full-back spots after impressing against Czechia. Ezri Konsa could step in for Trevoh Chalobah in central defense, with Elliot Anderson partnering Alex Scott in midfield as Myles Lewis-Skelly drops to the bench.
In the final third, Jude Bellingham is slated to operate as the playmaker, flanked by Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon, with captain Harry Kane leading the line.
Livaković; Stanišić, Šutalo, Vušković, Gvardiol; Modrić, Kovačić; L. Sučić, Baturina, Perišić; Matanović.
The expected XI includes a number of familiar names returning to the side, with Modrić anchoring the midfield and Baturina positioned behind Matanović. Gvardiol could start at left-back, while Perišić is expected to feature on the left side of the attack.
Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Konsa, Guéhi, Hall; Anderson, Scott; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
England's predicted XI has a different look because of the absences in midfield and attack. Anderson and Scott could form the central pairing, while Bellingham takes up the No. 10 role behind Kane. Saka and Gordon are expected to provide width from the attacking positions.
Croatia carry a mixed run of form into this clash, having secured three victories in their last five fixtures. While recent displays yielded positive results against Czechia, Ghana, and Panama, their confidence took a significant hit last time out following a heavy 4–1 defeat at the hands of . . .
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