Saturday Football Cheat Sheet: Best bets for Croatia v England and more

Croatia v England tips and predictions

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Saturday 3 October, 17:00
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Back goals and Kane to be fouled in Bet Builder

Lewis Jones: Harry Kane has drawn six fouls across his three major-tournament meetings with Croatia, highlighting just how keen the opposition are to disrupt England's main attacking reference point. It's a common method to try and stop Kane dictating matters from deep.

He is not a striker who simply waits on the shoulder of the last defender, either. Kane has developed a particularly wily knack of dropping into the pocket, inviting pressure and using his body intelligently to draw contact.

That could be especially relevant here given his likely duel with Luka Vuskovic. The Brighton defender has averaged 1.9 fouls per 90 for Croatia and, even more significantly for this market, has committed at least one foul in 16 of his last 17 starts for club and country...

Combining Kane to win two or more fouls along with over 2.5 goals gives us a nice 15/8 shot to attack through Betfair's Bet Builder offer.

Back England and Bellingham to down Croatia

Stephen Tudor: We can expect Jude Bellingham to start after being rested vs Czech Republic and it was the Real Madrid man who orchestrated that 4-2 win in Texas, scoring for good measure. He is 12/5 to convert again on Saturday.

It will also be interesting to see if Trent Alexander-Arnold and Lewis Hall retain the full-back berths after impressing against the Czechs. It was down their flanks where Croatia suffered the most in Spain.

Croatia have only failed to score twice in their last 18 outings so backing them to beat Jordan Pickford at some point is logical. England though have shaken off their highly disappointing World Cup semi-final exit well.

Back Both Teams to Score

Andy Robson: When these two faced each other in the World Cup, it produced six goals, with England running out 4-2 winners. Croatia racked up 0.70 xG that night, but it doesn't tell the full story, as they were able to get behind England's high line on multiple occasions and managed five shots on target in total.

Slaven Bilic is back as Croatia manager, and he has an exciting group of players to work with who may not be at the level of the Croatia side that reached the World Cup final in 2018, but certainly have promise to develop into another decent team.

BTTS has landed in both of Croatia's Nations League games so far, and even scored against Spain last time out.

Czechia caused England some problems in their last game before Sulc's early red card, which changed the course of the game. England have scored in each of their last eight matches, so finding the back of the net shouldn't be an issue.

This bet is part of a Saturday football acca so find out about the other legs here.

Back in-form Croatia veteran to assist again

Opta Stat: Ivan Perisic has been involved in 15 goals in his last 18 starts for Croatia (6 goals, 9 assists), while he both scored and assisted in his nation's last win against England, in the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final.

More Nations League tips and predictions

17:00 - Spain v Czechia: Back early goals

Paul Higham:

From recovering from a bit of a wobble against England to dismantling Croatia, Spain look unstoppable right now as eye watering odds of 1/16 suggest - with Czechia given no chance at 25/1. So it's a case of how Spain will win rather than if.

Odds of 1/2 on a home win to nil in Oviedo suggest the Czechs will struggle to score with what little possession they'll manage to get, while Lamine Yamal incredibly scoring after two minutes in both games so far shows Spain could well strike early. Spain are 11/4 to lead after 10 minutes.

In a game where team changes might be made and with Spain such overwhelming favourites, backing the hosts to score twice in the first half at odds-against is pretty good value.

17:00 - North Macedonia v Scotland: Back narrow away win

Opta Stat: North Macdeonia and Scotland have played each other on three previous occasions. The first meeting was in 2009, when Scotland were hosts and won 2-0. The teams drew 1-1 the next time in Scotland in 2012. Last time they met, Scotland travelled to North Macedonia and beat them 2-1. Victory by a one goal margin could be the way to go again in Skopje on Saturday.

League 1 tips and predictions

15:00 - Reading v Bradford City: Back the draw

Alan Dudman: The case can be made for both here. Reading under the tutelage of Leam Richardson have already won three times at home this term and they've got a natural goalscorer in Jack Marriot.

Marriot already has eight in eight and Bradford's reflexes at the back will have to be razor sharp this Saturday, but if it's a sturdy defence, send for Bradford.

Firstly they are top of League One. Secondly, three clean sheets on the spin and three 1-0 victories. I toyed with Under 2.5 Goals here but Bradford certainly have the minerals for a result here.

Now read Alan Shearer: Man City deserve whatever punishment they get