Thomas Tuchel walking down tunnel with Slaven Bilic shouting on sideline right inset

Thomas Tuchel will face off against Slaven BilicImago

Man City duo left out, Everton player starts: England predicted XI vs Croatia

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at Reach PLC and PA Media; University of Central Lancashire graduate. FOCUS Fan-engagement content and match analysis across the Premier League and Championship. THE INSIGHT Oliver utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified reporting and fan-first content. He provides the human stories behind the results to ensure fans get the full picture as it happens.

Published on:

01 Oct 2026, 5:40 am

Croatia host England in the third round of Nations League A group games this weekend.

Thomas Tuchel's side returned to winning ways on Tuesday with a 2-0 victory over Czechia in Prague.

Goals from Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane saw England pick up their first points of the Nations League campaign after an opening round defeat to Spain.

Croatia are their next opponents in Group 3 as a recent rivalry is renewed in Rijeka this weekend.

Slaven Bilic is overseeing his first camp as Croatia boss, and they also sit on three points as it stands after beating Czechia and losing to Spain.

Football Insider have rounded up everything that Three Lions followers need to know ahead of their third clash of the international break.

How to watch Croatia vs England in the Nations League

It is just three-and-a-half months since England opened their 2026 World Cup account with a 4-2 win over the Croatians in Dallas.

The two countries have shared a friendly - but competitive - recent rivalry that stems from Croatia's memorable 2018 World Cup semi-final win in extra time.

They each need three points in this fixture to compete with Spain to top the group, with kick-off set for 5pm on Saturday, 3 October at Stadion HNK Rijeka.

Viewers in the UK can tune in on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, with coverage due to begin at 4:15.

Cole Palmer 'has played his last game for England' as Thomas Tuchel slams Chelsea star

'Someone in the England camp' told to 'have a word' with Anthony Gordon as controversial footage analysed

Who is set to start for England in Croatia?

Tuchel revealed last week that keepers James Trafford and Jordan Pickford would start two consecutive games each in this break, so the latter is set to return to the side on Saturday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's strong showing against Czechia should see him retain a starting spot, with Lewis Hall likely the same amid doubts over Nico O'Reilly's fitness.

Jarrad Branthwaite and Ezri Konsa may represent two changes in the backline as Tuchel tests out different centre-back combinations, which would mean Man City star Marc Guehi joining O'Reilly on the sidelines.

Myles Lewis-Skelly and Elliot Anderson seem set to stay in the first eleven, given the lack of central midfield options, with Jude Bellingham surely returning to the team for Morgan Rogers.

Tuchel seems settled on his front three of Bukayo Saka, Kane and Gordon, who could each also keep their places in the team.

Manchester City Football Club