In a repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi-final, England and Croatia face off with the fate of Uefa Nations League A4 on the line.
Both sides go into the game level on points and two behind group leaders Spain, though La Roja have played all four of their matches in the competition.
Read on for England v Croatia live stream options, team news, predicted XIs, stats and TV channel info.
When is England vs Croatia?
Competition: Uefa Nations League
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Date: Sunday, 18 November
Kick-off: 2:00 PM GMT
Match preview
Just over four months ago, a game between England and Croatia took place to decide who would go on to reach the World Cup final in Russia, facing France.
Now, as winter descends on Wembley, the pair battle it out once more to decide who wins Uefa Nations League A4 and who gets relegated to League B for the next edition of the competition.
When these sides last met, a goalless draw was the result as both sides picked up their first points of the Nations League in front of a barren stadium in Rijeka due to a ban imposed on Croatia.
Since then, both England and Croatia have enjoyed success in the Nations League – each beating Spain 3-2 to set up the dramatic final day of League A4 on Sunday.
England’s win over Spain saw them take a 3-0 lead in Betis before being made to work hard for their victory, while Croatia took the lead three times against La Roja, including Tin Jedvaj’s injury-time winner.
While that was going on on Thursday, England were at Wembley celebrating in the international career of Wayne Rooney who bowed out in a 3-0 win over the United States.
But now the party is over and everything is on the line on Sunday.
Where can I watch live?
England’s crunch game against Croatia can be viewed by UK residents on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football, channels 401 and 403 respectively on Sky and channels 501 and 503 respectively, for Virgin Media users.
The game is also available to watch on fuboTV for US-based viewers.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about fuboTV
What are the permutations?
The fate of Uefa Nations League A4 rests on England’s game against Croatia on Sunday and the four potential results each present different outcomes.
In simple terms, if there is a winner between England and Croatia, they will go through to the semi-finals of the Uefa Nations League with the loser being relegated to League B – Spain are safe no matter what.
Spain will qualify for the semi-finals if Sunday’s game ends in a draw, but the type of stalemate will change who goes down.
If England vs Croatia finishes goalless, Croatia will be relegated on goal difference, with the Blazers currently sitting with -5 compared to England’s 0.
However, if there is a score draw of any kind, Croatia will stay up with England being relegated due to the head-to-head record between the two sides – Croatia will have scored more away goals against England despite two draws.
Who said the Uefa Nations League would be boring?
Can Harry Kane break Wayne Rooney’s England record?
England’s all-time top goalscorer Wayne Rooney has backed striker Harry Kane to one day topple his record.
Rooney said farewell to international football on Thursday, coming off the bench for England during their 3-0 win over the United States to earn his 120th cap – the most for an outfield player for the Three Lions.
The former Manchester United forward is also England’s all-time record goalscorer with 53 goals, having surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton (49) in September 2015.
But Rooney doesn’t expect to hold the record for as long as Sir Bobby did, with the 33-year-old backing Kane, currently on 19, to topple him eventually.
Speaking after Kane presented him with an award before the game, Rooney said (via the BBC): “I asked Harry to present me with the award because I believe he will beat my goalscoring record.
“I look forward to presenting him with the trophy.
“It was great to be out there in front of the fans again and it was special for me and my family.”
Kane’s 19 goals for England have come in 34 games, including six at the 2018 World Cup to win the Golden Boot – although the Spurs striker did not score after the last-16.
What have Croatia changed since last time?
Prior to their game against Spain on Thursday, Croatia had looked uninspired in the Uefa Nations League with no goals scored and six conceded to go with their solitary point. The Blazers weren’t expected to win but they twice held off a Spain comeback before an injury-time winner gave them a valuable win and opened up League A4. Croatia had struggled post-World Cup to replace the retired Mario Mandzukic but Andrej Kramaric finally stepped up for his nation, scoring against Spain while also barely giving La Roja’s defenders a moment’s rest.
Head-to-head
Having reached the World Cup final in Russia, Croatia have played 16 games in 2018, winning eight including one over England, losing four and drawing four – although two of those would ultimately end in penalty shootout victories. Meanwhile, England have also played 16 games this year, winning nine, losing four and drawing three – with one penalty shootout win.
Sunday’s meeting will be the third time England and Croatia have faced off inside four months, but only the 10th time in total. The stalemate in Rijeka brought the second draw between the two sides, with England slightly edging ahead with four wins to Croatia’s three.
England wins: 4 Draws: 2 Croatia wins: 3
Team news
England named a rotated team against the United States on Thursday and Gareth Southgate will be expected to return to his full strength XI for the visit of Croatia. Harry Kane should start once more up front, joined by the likes of Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and John Stones in the line-up. One position which is a problem for Southgate as it stands is right-back, with World Cup favourite Kieran Trippier an injury doubt, while Joe Gomez also awaits assessment.
Meanwhile, Croatia have no new injury problems following their win against Spain and will likely use the same XI at Wembley to push England far in the fight against relegation.
Predicted England XI: Pickford; Walker, Gomez, Stones, Shaw; Dier, Henderson, Barkley; Sterling, Kane, Rashford.
Predicted Croatia XI: Kalinic; Vrsaljko, Vida, Lovren, Jedvaj; Brozovic, Rakitic; Rebic, Modric, Perisic; Kramaric.
Squawka Prediction
Croatia fought hard to get their win over Spain and keep League A4 open but Gareth Southgate’s fresh side may just have too much for their opponents. 2-1 England.
Predictions & Betting Tips
Get the BetBull sign-up offer HERE – Ts&Cs apply. +18 only. BeGambleAware.org
1. England to win @ 10/11
England may have failed to win the past two games against Croatia, but Southgate’s men should go into the game fresher owing to a more relaxed friendly against the USA on Thursday.
The Three Lions were comfortable in a 3-0 win and could have scored more goals had the team not tried, rightfully, to get Rooney to score on his final game.
Croatia may have shown what they can do against Spain, but the win will have taken a lot out of them with just three days between that and Sunday’s game.
Key Stat: Only three players to start against the United States on Thursday started in England’s 3-2 Uefa Nations League win over Spain (Jordan Pickford, Ben Chilwell and Harry Winks).
Tip: England to win @ 10/11 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (16/11/2018, 16:00)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
2. Both teams to score YES @ 4/6
Though the most recent meeting between these two sides ending in a goalless draw, Sunday’s meeting has a lot more riding on it.
Both sides are likely to go all out to attack knowing a place in the semi-finals is on the line, as well as their safety from relegation.
Against Spain, Croatia showed they have goals in them while also giving signs of weakness at the back, while England were fortunate not to be punished by allowing USA chances.
Key Stat: Both teams have scored in six of the nine past meetings between England and Croatia.
Tip: Both teams to score YES @ 4/6 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (16/11/2018, 16:00)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
3. Harry Kane to score first @ 14/5
Harry Kane has not scored for England in his past seven appearances, including two games against Croatia, but the striker has still been contributing with two assists coming last time out in Spain.
Kane scored twice in Tottenham’s crunch 2-1 win over PSV Eindhoven at Wembley just one week ago, when his side needed him to drag them back in the Champions League, and should be ready to open his Nations League account in what is the most important game so far.
Key Stat: Harry Kane has scored in two of his last three England games at Wembley.
Tip: Harry Kane to score first @ 14/5 with BetBull – bet here
Odds correct at time of publishing (16/11/2018, 16:00)
18+ only. Ts&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
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