World Cup Day 7 Cheat Sheet: Best bets for England v Croatia and more

England v Croatia tips and predictions

21:00 - England v Croatia: Back Three Lions to edge opener at 5/2

Dave Tindall: England beat Iran 6-2 in their Qatar opener four years ago but that won't be happening again. The previous two times they kicked off with a victory, the Three Lions beat Tunisia 2-1 (2018) and Paraguay 1-0 (2006).

Long-term England fans will also recall the edgy, often dour and disappointing opening 1-1s against the Republic of Ireland (1990), Sweden (2002) and USA (2010).

In short, that Iran result is an outlier. More often than not, England don't set the world alight first time out. But while Croatia's record in this tournament is superb, it's very rare for a nation to piece together three great World Cups.

And with Luka Modric (who played in that 3-2 win in 2007) now 40, Tuchel's men should have the legs to diminish his influence. They've also shown they can protect a lead.

And that takes me to an England victory. Just. Therefore, head to the Winning Margin market and back England to win by exactly 1 goal at 12/5.

Alan Shearer's England v Croatia Prediction: Kane and Gordon to fire Three Lions to win

Alan Shearer: It is really important that England get off to a good start against Croatia in the World Cup on Wednesday. They're among the last teams to play in matchday one, so they've got to wait six days and watch every other team. That will be a little bit frustrating. But to get off to a good start would be great and set the tone for the rest of the tournament. 

Ideally, you'd like an impressive winning performance from the opener. But the most important thing is the result. If you can play well and use the energy then great...

I predict that we'll beat Croatia 2-1 with Harry Kane and Anthony Gordon scoring the goals. 

England v Croatia: Go low on goals

Mark Stinchcombe: Two in-form sides take on each other in the opening match of Group L at the AT&T Stadium in Texas. England have won all of their last 10 competitive internationals, keeping a clean sheet in all 10, and Croatia have won seven of their last eight games. On neutral ground I don't want to back England at 4/6, particularly with the players in the squad having played the third most total minutes of all countries in the last 12 months. Croatia on the other hand have played more than 20,000 fewer minutes than Thomas Tuchel's men.

England have met Zlatko Dalic's Croatia twice in the last four major tournaments and they've both been tight battles finishing 1-0 and 1-1 after 90 minutes. With this being the opening group game with neither side wanting to give anything away in their toughest test, I can see this being another tight battle. Ten of the first 16 World Cup matches have finished Under 2.5 goals and that looks the bet here, taking the bet on the Betfair Exchange for the bigger price.

England v Croatia: Try 16/1 Bet Builder in cagey opener

Stephen Tudor: 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.

World Cup Wednesday ACCA: Back Pickford saves in five-fold

Andy Robson has included two England v Croatia tips in his Wednesday five-fold acca, so check out his recommendation below then read the rest of column to get the case for four more legs.

Despite not conceding a single goal in qualifying, England's centre-back situation may leave them exposed against Croatia on Wednesday night. There are no clear-cut partnerships set to start, and while it likely will be Konsa and Guehi, many question how they will fare later in the tournament.

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford averaged 2.63 saves per 90 for Everton in the Premier League this season, which helps this bet when you consider only three sides kept more clean sheets than Everton in the 25/26 season.

During Euro 2024, Pickford made 18 saves across seven games, averaging 2.35 saves per 90.

Leg 5: England GK to Make 2+ Saves @ 4/9

When are England's Group L Games?

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

More World Cup Day 7 tips and predictions

18:00 - Portugal v DR Congo: Back 8/1 Bruno Bet Builder

Paul Higham: Portugal are laced with talent, but I'll stick with just one player and go with a Bet Builder just based soley on Bruno Fernandes - and back the Premier League Player of the Season to get heavily involved.

He's 8/5 for 2+ shots on target after hitting nine in his last seven internationals. He'll have a starring role here and if Congo drop deep then he'll try his luck from distance.

Fernandes is always involved in fouls both ways as well - he's given one away in five of seven and been fouled twice in three of his last four, so he's worth backing in both markets.

The 6/5 on Fernandes to be fouled twice could also make a nice single, but we'll use it to bolster our Bruno Bet Builder.

00:00 - Ghana v Panama: Back Ayew to strike

Opta Stat: Ghana forward Jordan Ayew was involved in 14 goals during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers (7 goals, 7 assists), the joint-most in the CAF section alongside Algeria's Mohammed Amoura.  

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

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