England vs Croatia Prediction: Big booking price as England target victory

So here we are then. After almost a week of watching the 2026 World Cup, England begin their quest in North America. Thomas Tuchel’s side face Croatia in Dallas (3pm local, 9pm BST, ITV1).

England’s opening game record at major tournaments was poor until Sir Gareth Southgate showed up and won four out of four, so how will the Three Lions fare in this testing opener? Find my England vs Croatia predictions below. 

Team News

As always at major tournaments, it looks as though the majority of England’s line-up has been leaked to the press. 

Surprisingly, Marc Guehi is set to miss out in defence in favour of Ezri Konsa and John Stones, while Jude Bellingham should get the nod over Morgan Rogers in the number 10 role behind captain Harry Kane. Bukayo Saka’s injury issues mean Noni Madueke is likely to start this opener on the right wing.

Croatia’s Zlatko Dalic has flirted between a back three and back four in recent friendlies, but a back three comprising of Man City’s Josko Gvardiol, Tottenham’s Luka Vuskovic and Ajax’s Josip Sutalo looks to be the most likely option. Luka Modric captains the side in midfield alongside Gvardiol’s clubmate Mateo Kovacic. 

England vs Croatia Odds

England are the 8/11 favourites to win this game, with Croatia the 4/1 underdogs. A draw which would send the nation into an unnecessary panic can be backed at 13/5, while over 2.5 goals is 11/10.

Kane is favourite to score first at 10/3, with Jude Bellingham 17/2 to open the scoring. You can find full odds including Price Boosts on the link above. 

England to win @ 8/11

I’m pretty confident heading into this World Cup that England can certainly reach the semi-finals, perhaps beyond. This group should represent a chance to get three wins out of three, and it does feel like the market is slightly underestimating the Three Lions. 

Betfred are TOP PRICE on England to go all the way (currently 15/2), which I would certainly consider, but I also think they are excellent value to win this opener. Croatia are always difficult opposition and have plenty of tournament nous but the fact is that Modric is now 40, Perisic is 37, and the haunting ghosts from 2018 of Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Rakitic and Marcelo Brozovic are long gone. 

England should dominate this midfield battle with the energy of Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, while the wingers are going to be crucial in exploiting Croatia’s wing-backs. I was initially going to back England to win to nil at 8/5, but I want to get a proper look at this back four which Stones aside, lacks major tournament experience and doesn’t look quite as solid as it has in previous tournaments.

I’m backing Tuchel’s men to get off to a winning start.

*Click here for the latest World Cup Odds

Ivan Perisic to be carded (Sub Switch) @ 9/2

I think I’ve found some value here. Perisic was born before the Berlin Wall came down and before Tim Berners-Lee submitted the initial documents for the World Wide Web. Basically, at 37, he’s pretty old to still be starting World Cup matches, especially at left wing-back. 

I look at Madueke or Saka as wingers that are likely to pin him back and try and get in behind him, while Perisic picked up eight yellows for PSV despite playing an advanced left winger role. He is a player that is always up for the battle, but I think the match-up here favours the England boys, and Perisic could be exposed. 

With Betfred’s Sub Switch offer, even if Perisic gets subbed, our bet rolls onto the man who replaces him.