Croatia unbeaten at home in nine official matches: prediction for Croatia — England
The UEFA Nations League third-round match between Croatia and England will take place on October 3 at HNK Rijeka Stadium. Both teams have collected three points from their opening two matches: Croatia beat Czechia and lost to Spain, while England followed a defeat by the Spaniards with a victory over the Czechs.
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Croatia: a strong home run versus defensive problems
Slaven Bilić's side opened the tournament with a 2-1 away win over Czechia, but then failed to stop Spain, losing 4-1. Dion Beljo equalized in the first half, but Croatia's defense could not cope with the opposition's continued pressure.
At home, however, Croatia remains a formidable opponent. The team has gone unbeaten in its last nine official home matches, recording eight wins and one draw. The problem lies elsewhere: Croatia have conceded in 11 of their last 12 international matches.
England: four consecutive away wins in the Nations League
After a 3-2 defeat by Spain, England quickly bounced back by beating Czechia 2-0. Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane secured Thomas Tuchel's team its first three points of the current campaign and also helped end a six-match run without a clean sheet.
England have now won four consecutive away matches in the Nations League. Tuchel has recorded 18 wins in 24 games at the helm of the national team, and he could bring Jude Bellingham back into the starting lineup in Rijeka.
Match facts and head-to-head record
- Croatia are unbeaten in their last nine official home matches — eight wins and one draw.
- England have won their last four away matches in the Nations League.
- Just under four months ago, England beat Croatia 4-2 at the World Cup.
Kane and Gordon could decide the match in Rijeka: prediction for Croatia — England
Croatia's home record is impressive, so England are certainly in for a difficult trip. Beljo has hit good form, while Modrić's return could give the hosts greater control in midfield.
However, Croatia's defense gives up chances far too regularly, and that is especially dangerous against Kane, Gordon, Saka and the potentially returning Bellingham. England have already shown a strong response after their defeat by Spain and look capable of securing another hard-fought away win.
