Bet on Croatia vs England with Ladbrokes

Croatia welcome England to Stadion HNK Rijeka on Saturday October 3 in Matchday 3 of UEFA Nations League A Group A3, with kick-off at 5pm UK time. Both teams have three points after two matches, making this an important opportunity to build momentum behind early leaders Spain.

England arrive as the odds-on favourites with Ladbrokes despite playing away from home. Their 4-2 victory over Croatia in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup gives them encouraging recent history in this fixture, although Croatia’s experience and home advantage mean the result should not be treated as straightforward.

Bet on Croatia vs England with Ladbrokes

The two sides have followed similar paths through the opening week of the Nations League. Croatia began with a 2-1 victory away to Czechia before suffering a 4-1 defeat in Spain. England lost their opener 3-2 at home to Spain, then responded with a 2-0 win in Czechia.

England’s victory in Prague came through second-half goals from Anthony Gordon and captain Harry Kane. Gordon opened the scoring in the 47th minute, before Kane completed the win in the 69th minute. It was Gordon’s third successive scoring appearance for England and Kane’s second game in a row with a goal.

Both forwards had also scored against Spain, with Kane heading England in front after Gordon had equalised. Kane later missed a penalty when he slipped and struck the crossbar, before Spain recovered to win 3-2.

Croatia will look to captain Luka Modric for control in midfield. He scored the opening goal in their victory over Czechia, with Marco Pasalic later heading the winner. Croatia were unable to repeat that result in Seville, where they were beaten 4-1 despite Dion Drena Beljo briefly equalising during the first half.

This will also be the third match in a demanding four-game international window for each team. England finish the window by hosting Czechia on Tuesday October 6, while Croatia face Spain on the same evening.

Croatia vs England Odds

England are odds-on favourites with Ladbrokes. That status reflects their 4-2 World Cup win over Croatia, their successful response against Czechia and the recent scoring form of Kane and Gordon.

Croatia remain a credible threat, however. They beat Czechia in their opening Nations League match, have an experienced midfield and are capable of creating opportunities from wide deliveries, as shown by the goals resulting from Ivan Perisic crosses against both Czechia and Spain.

Customers can explore a range of pre-match options for Croatia vs England. Markets expected for a senior international fixture may include:

Match Betting: Back Croatia, England or the draw based on the result after 90 minutes.
Draw No Bet: Choose either team to win, with stakes returned if the match finishes level.
Double Chance: Cover two of the three possible Match Betting outcomes.
Both Teams to Score: Bet on whether Croatia and England will both find the net.
Over/Under Goals: Predict whether the total number of goals will finish above or below the chosen line.
Correct Score: Select the exact score at the end of normal time.
Half Time/Full Time: Combine the result at the interval with the result after 90 minutes.
Match Odds and Both Teams to Score: Pair the match result with a prediction on whether both sides score.
First Team to Score: Back Croatia or England to open the scoring, or select no goal.
Team Goals: Predict how many times either side will score.
Match Handicap and Winning Margin: Explore alternative handicaps or forecast the eventual margin of victory.
Corners and Cards: Consider match or team totals across set-piece and disciplinary markets.
Anytime and First Goalscorer: Goalscorer options involving players such as Kane, Gordon, Modric and Beljo
Player Props: Expected player markets may include shots, shots on target, assists and tackles.
Bet Builder: Combine eligible result, goals, team and player selections in the same bet.

Croatia vs England Betting Tips & Strategy

Consider England’s attacking form - Gordon and Kane have both scored in England’s opening two Nations League matches. Their movement and finishing make England’s goalscorer and player-shot markets worth monitoring if those options are added before kick-off.
Do not overlook Croatia’s response - Croatia conceded four times against Spain, but their earlier win over Czechia showed their capacity to remain competitive and find decisive moments. Back on home soil, the way they respond to pressure from England could be central to the Match Betting, handicap and team-goals markets
Assess how the first goal changes the contest - Both teams have experienced contrasting game states during this international window. England came from behind to lead Spain before losing, while they had to remain patient against ten-player Czechia. Croatia scored first against Czechia but conceded early against Spain. The opening goal could therefore have a major influence on the tempo and the in-play markets.

Why Bet on Croatia vs England with Ladbrokes?

Ladbrokes offers football customers a wide selection of pre-match and in-play markets, with options including Match Betting, goals, Bet Builder and player props.

Customers can use the Ladbrokes mobile or desktop sportsbook to follow the latest prices and available selections. The Ladbrokes Football Content Hub also provides access to football odds, previews, form information, betting insights and current promotions.

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England travel to Rijeka as odds-on favourites, backed by their recent World Cup victory over Croatia and goals in successive Nations League matches from Kane and Gordon. Croatia have already shown that they can respond in competitive matches, however, and Modrić’s influence gives the hosts an experienced figure around whom to build.