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da betobet： Both England and Croatia have it all to play for when they meet in their Nations League encounter at Wembley Stadium on Sunday. For either side, victory will mean topping the group and progression to the knockout stages, whilst defeat would lead to relegation.
Can Southgate’s boys triumph or will it be another case of so near yet so far for England? We will find out the answer to that on Sunday, but before then, here’s everything you need to know ahead of this weekend’s winner-takes-all clash at Wembley…
What History Tells Us
England’s recent history with Croatia isn’t pretty. In their last Nations League meeting, the sides played out a dull, behind-closed-doors 0-0 draw. Before that, Croatia were the architects of the Three Lions’ heartbreak when they eliminated Gareth Southgate’s side in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Back in 2007, it was the Balkan nation who ended England’s hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008. Croatia’s victory then, now over a decade ago, led to Steve McClaren’s dismissal from his post as England manager.
Victory for England on Sunday would provide a measure of revenge and would also indicate that their wonderful World Cup campaign was no flash in the pan.
Battle of the Strikers
Whilst Croatia have a most enviable midfield contingent, England can boast having one of the finest goalscorers in world football amongst their ranks. The Three Lions’ captain and talismanic No. 9, Harry Kane, won the Golden Boot in Russia but could not put Croatia to the sword then.
Kane will want to set the record straight on Sunday and will be comfortable with the knowledge that much of England’s attacking hopes rest upon his shoulders.
However, the Spurs striker hasn’t found the back of the net for his country in his last seven games, last netting in the World Cup round of 16 triumph over Colombia.
Check out the harsh words the Playmaker FC squad had to say about Wayne Rooney’s England career in the video above…
Andrej Kramaric, meanwhile, boasts a far inferior career strike rate to Kane’s, but is currently in blistering form. At club level, the 27-year-old has already racked up six goals for Hoffenheim this season. On the international stage, he produced a fine finish to set Croatia on their way to a hard-fought win over Spain last time out.
Southgate will ensure his players are well aware of the threat that Kramaric poses, whilst he’ll also be hoping that Kane rediscovers his shooting boots this weekend.
Team News
Southgate is likely to rotate heavily following Thursday night’s friendly victory over the USA. Obviously, Wayne Rooney has withdrawn from the squad following his farewell fixture. Meanwhile, Spurs’ Kieran Trippier and Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck have also been ruled out through injury.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford will retain his starting berth between the sticks, but ahead of him there’s likely to be a complete change around of the back four. Though, Leicester’s Ben Chilwell and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold – who produced a man of the match display against the USA – may feel they have done enough in recent fixtures to earn an extended run in their respective full-back positions.
One surprise inclusion in the starting XI could be Ross Barkley, who has impressed recently for Chelsea and would add dynamism and forward thrust to England’s midfield.
Given that this is a must-win game, Southgate has to be positive, which may well allow for exciting youngster Jadon Sancho to be introduced from the bench if England find themselves in need of a game-changer.
Croatia arrive in England with a vastly experienced squad – Luka Modric alone has amassed far more caps than England’s two most senior current stars (Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling) combined.
However, the recent retirement of Mario Mandzukic has left them lacking their second highest all-time goalscorer. In spite of the attacking quality of Ivan Perisic, Ante Rebic and Kramaric, the Juventus veteran remains a major miss.
They are, of course, supremely strong in the middle of the park though. In Modric, Rakitic, Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic (likely to start on the bench), Croatia boast an embarrassment of midfield riches, any one of which has the quality to dominate a game and carve out numerous goalscoring opportunities for the visitors.