In their latest friendly, England hosted Costa Rica and secured a convincing 3-0 victory. This win adds to their recent success, as they continue to build confidence ahead of the World Cup.
Match statistics (England vs Costa Rica):
Possession: 81% – 19%
Corners: 11 – 1
Fouls: 7 – 24
Yellow cards: 0 – 4
Shots on target: 8 – 0
Croatia
Team Overview
Croatia faced Slovenia in their most recent friendly, winning 2-1 at home. This result reflects a positive trend as they prepare for the upcoming World Cup.
Match statistics (Croatia vs Slovenia):
Possession: 67% – 33%
Corners: 8 – 4
Fouls: 5 – 11
Shots on target: 6 – 4
Teams Form Analysis
England has shown strong form in their last ten matches, winning 7 out of 10, with a goal tally of 14 and only conceding 5. Their recent friendly against Costa Rica ended in a 3-0 victory, showcasing their attacking prowess and solid defense. Croatia, on the other hand, has had a mixed bag of results, winning 4, drawing 1, and losing 5 of their last 10 matches, with a total of 16 goals scored but also conceding 19. Their recent performance against Slovenia, where they won 2-1, indicates they can be competitive but have struggled defensively in other matches.
Statistical Analysis & Influencing Factors
In terms of statistics, England has an average of 1.4 goals per game in their last five matches, while Croatia averages 1.6 goals but has conceded 1.8. The head-to-head record favors England, with 2 wins and 1 draw in their last three encounters, averaging 1.33 goals per game. England's possession rate has been significantly higher, averaging around 81% in their last match, compared to Croatia's 67% in their last outing. This indicates a potential advantage for England in controlling the game.
England — Croatia Prediction
Exact Score: 2 – 1
1st Half: 1 – 0
Goals (Total): 2 – 1
Corners: 10 – 5
Fouls: 12 – 14
Yellow Cards: 2 – 3
Shots on target: 6 – 3
Offsides: 3 – 2
Possession: 60% – 40%
In terms of tactics, England is expected to utilize their high possession style to control the game, pressing Croatia in their half and exploiting spaces left by their defense. Croatia may adopt a counter-attacking approach, relying on quick transitions to capitalize on any defensive lapses from England.
3 Reasons Why England Will Win
Strong Home Form: England has won 7 of their last 10 matches, indicating a solid home advantage.
Head-to-Head Dominance: England has a favorable record against Croatia, winning 2 out of their last 3 encounters.
Defensive Vulnerabilities: Croatia has conceded 19 goals in their last 10 matches, highlighting potential weaknesses that England can exploit.