England v Croatia: Try these 6/1 and 16/1 Bet Builders with cagey opener expected

England's time has finally come

Click here for England v Croatia odds
Wednesday 17 June, 21:00 kick-off
Live on ITV
AT&T Stadium, Arlington

By the time England kick off their World Cup campaign in Arlington, Texas, at 9pm on Wednesday evening (UK time) 21 games will have already taken place.

We've seen two of the host nations get off to barnstorming starts, Cape Verde perform a minor miracle in holding Spain, and Scotland win their first World Cup game in 36 years. It's been enjoyable and distracting.

But still, for many of us, it's all been accompanied by nagging nerves. An itch of sorts. We have regularly checked up on training ground updates from Kansas and flicked our eyes to the calendar.

Now, finally, that wait is over and the anticipation proper can begin.

It's such a shame therefore that England v Croatia is destined to be a tight, tense encounter with few goals in it.

When are England's Group L Games?

See below for the dates and times of Englands matches in the group stage of the tournament:

If England win it'll be by a single goal

That's not to be a downer on the occasion. Thomas Tuchel's men are fancied to win. Which is nice. It's just that whenever these sides meet it tends to be close and edgy.

There was Croatia's 2-1 semi-final win in 2018. That one went to extra-time. Then came a 0-0 stalemate in the Nations League, followed soon after by England prevailing 2-1. Lastly, their Euro opener in 2021, decided by a single England goal.

We must also factor in England's long-standing habit of feeling their way into competitions.

From their last 18 opening matches in major tournaments only two have been won or lost by more than a single goal margin. Twelve of the 18 have produced under 2.5 goals.

Drama will arrive after the break

The suspicion that both teams will initially be conservative lends itself to second half goals and certainly the track record of both sides in recent months adds some substance to this idea.

Six of England's last 10 goals have been converted beyond the 75th minute while six of the last 10 goals involving Croatia - both scored and conceded - have come after the 80th minute.

With each team facing their toughest group opponent from the off - and acutely aware that a loss would be very harmful, a draw favourable, and a win precious - it stands to reason that shape will be prioritised with risks kept to an absolute minimum.

The game, however, will almost inevitably open up at some juncture. Backing the draw at half-time incidentally offers up 6/52.20

Notable winners on Betting.Betfair so far at the 2026 World Cup...

- Mark Stinchcombe's stunning 38/139.00 Bet Builder in South Korea v Czechia
- Paul Higham's 9/25.50 Bet Builder in Mexico's MD1 defeat of South Africa
- Paul also tipped 13/53.60 (Canada v Bosnia) & 15/82.88 (Brazil v Morocco) draws
- A 6/17.00 winning ACCA for Mark on Sunday at the World Cup
- Andy Robson's 9/110.00 five-leg ACCA as Germany wallop Curacao

Try this sensible 6/17.00 Bet Builder

The over-riding narrative surrounding the Blazers in 2026 is that they remain a highly technical outfit, who are now the other side of their best.

Their chief orchestrators are long in the tooth while their potential usurpers are not to their lofty standard. They're a movie star with crow's feet. A sports car with traces of rust.

Modric and co are still a joy to watch when passing their way through inferior fare but against a midfield of Anderson, Rice and Bellingham you expect them to compete, but ultimately fall short.
For that reason, backing England to win is a decent add to any builder.

As too is plumping for few cards. A low card-count is generally expected across opening games and to date exactly half (8 from 16) of the fixtures have produced under 2.5 of them.

Both England and Croatia picked up just six bookings apiece in their qualifying campaigns. Only Armenia, Switzerland and Spain received fewer in the whole of Europe.

Add a scant number of goals into the mix and you have yourself a tempting treble. Don't forget to capitalise on our Bet £10 Get £10 offer on all World Cup Bet Builders!

Gordon & Anderson feature in 16/117.00 Player Prop Bet Builder

Word on the Kansas streets is that Anthony Gordon will get the nod over Marcus Rashford down the left. Noni Madueke meanwhile is expected to start, with Bukayo Saka not yet fully fit.

Of the two it's Barcelona's summer signing who appeals, Gordon registering 15 shots on target in his concluding 10 starts for the Magpies and a SOT apiece in England's two warm-up games.

Elliot Anderson meanwhile is always a solid shout in the fouls drawn market. No player won more free-kicks in the Premier League last term (80 all told) and when aging Croatian legs start to tire and a slender lead needs protecting he will do what he does better than anyone.

He was fouled five times against Costa Rica.

Lastly, Mateo Kovacic is usually good for a booking on the international stage. More combative for his country than his club, the 32-year-old has been booked twice in his last four competitive outings for the Blazers and was carded twice at the last World Cup.

Now read Alan Shearer's exclusive take on England v Croatia here