Croatia vs England FIFA World Cup 2018 – Lineups, Predictions & Stats Preview 11 July 2018
The FIFA World Cup 2018 has reached the semi-final stage with Croatia meeting England in Moscow for a coveted place in the final. Croatia may rue the extra 30 minutes they needed to play in the quarter final against Russia as these two sides are evenly matched otherwise.
Croatia Probable Lineups and Stats
Boasting two of the finest midfielders in the game, Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic, Croatia are a side possessing quality throughout. Goalkeeper Danijel Subasic played on in the quarter-final despite picking up a knock, but should be fit to play England, although defender Sime Vrsaljko does miss out with a knee injury.
Probable line-up: Subasic – Corluka, Strinic, Vida, Lovren – Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, Brozovic, Rebic, Mandzukic
Croatia controlled possession against Russia with 62% of the play and have notched 10 goals in the tournament, averaging over 15 shots per game. The goals have been spread and Luka Modric with just two goals remains their leading scorer. They won each of their three group games, but have needed a penalty shoot-out to win their two knock-out matches. Defensively Croatia have been very tight conceding just four goals, having kept clean sheets in their first two group matches. They have picked up 12 yellow cards in their five games to date, though no suspensions.
England Probable Lineups and Stats
Aside from the final group game against Belgium when both sides made changes, England’s manager Gareth Southgate has largely stuck to the same starting eleven. Attacking midfielder Dele Alli has been plagued by a thigh problem, but assuming he is fit the team is unlikely to change.
Probable lineup: Pickford – Trippier, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Young – Henderson, Dele Alli, Lingard, Sterling – Kane
England possess the tournaments top scorer in Harry Kane with 6 goals, although they have struggled to create chances at times, averaging 14 shots per game. England have been strong from set pieces with defenders Stones and Maguire having scored three goals between them. Against Sweden England enjoyed 57% of the possession with an 80% pass accuracy rate, though possession may be more even against Croatia. Like Croatia, England have also only conceded four goals so far and have shown good discipline in picking up just five yellow cards. They have been very professional in their wins but needed penalties to see off Colombia in the last 16.
Croatia v England – Head to Head
The two nations have met seven times prior to this match, with England on four wins and Croatia two. They were in the same qualifying group for the 2010 World Cup, with England winning both games, 4-1 and 5-1. Croatia have spoiled England’s big day before, notably when they beat them 3-2 in November 2007, and in doing so preventing England qualifying for the Euro 2008 tournament. Their last major tournament meeting was at Euro 2004 when England ran out 4-2 winners, but the sides have not met since 2009.Expert Tip
These two European sides look very evenly matched. Croatia are far more experienced, but the English side contains pace throughout the team. There is a chance they could cancel each other out early on with the game opening up in the latter stages. This could go all the way, finishing 2-2 after 90 minutes, remaining that way after extra time, with a resurgent England going through 4-2 on penalties. In such a tense game yellow cards could mount with Croatia picking up four to England’s three.Interesting Facts and Information
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