Levi Rothermund
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Croatia host England in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday 3 October 2026, and with no fresh absentees flagged in the data for either camp, the real selection question is less about who is missing and more about who Slaven Bilic and Thomas Tuchel trust to start fresh off recent form. Both of these predicted lineups are built purely from who has actually started lately, not from team-sheet guesswork. That makes the shape of each XI the story here rather than any team news.
Predicted Croatia Line-up
Croatia are projected in a 4-2-3-1, which is Slaven Bilic’s preferred formation, and the data points to a settled side – 11 of the projected XI started their last match. Dominik Livaković and Josko Gvardiol both started both of the two recent lineups used here, underlining how first-choice they look in goal and at centre-back respectively. It’s worth noting this expected XI rests on only two recent matches, so while the shape looks consistent, the sample is thin and the projection should be treated as tentative rather than settled fact.
Croatia predicted XI: Dominik Livaković; Josko Gvardiol, Josip Šutalo, Ivan Smolcic, Marin Pongračić; Mateo Kovačić, Ivan Perišić, Petar Sučić, Josip Mišić, Marco Pašalić; Dion Drena Beljo
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 2 | Last 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Dominik Livaković | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 4 | Josko Gvardiol | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 6 | Josip Šutalo | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| D | Ivan Smolcic | 1/2 | 1/2 | |
| D | Marin Pongračić | 1/2 | 1/2 | |
| M | 8 | Mateo Kovačić | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 14 | Ivan Perišić | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 17 | Petar Sučić | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 15 | Josip Mišić | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 24 | Marco Pašalić | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| F | 20 | Dion Drena Beljo | 1/2 | 1/2 |
Predicted England Line-up
England also line up in a 4-2-3-1 under Thomas Tuchel, matching his preferred formation, and this is likewise a settled side – 11 of the projected XI started their last match. Marc Guehi and Anthony Gordon stand out in particular, each having started all three of the recent lineups used to build this projection. With three matches feeding the model rather than two, England’s predicted lineup carries a touch more weight behind it than Croatia’s, though it remains a projection and not confirmation.
England predicted XI: James Trafford; Marc Guehi, Trevoh Chalobah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Lewis Hall; Anthony Gordon, Elliot Anderson, Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Morgan Rogers; Harry Kane
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 3 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | James Trafford | 2/3 | 2/3 | |
| D | Marc Guehi | 3/3 | 3/3 | |
| D | Trevoh Chalobah | 1/3 | 1/3 | |
| D | Trent Alexander-Arnold | 1/3 | 1/3 | |
| D | Lewis Hall | 1/3 | 1/3 | |
| M | Anthony Gordon | 3/3 | 3/3 | |
| M | Elliot Anderson | 3/3 | 3/3 | |
| M | Bukayo Saka | 2/3 | 2/3 | |
| M | Myles Lewis-Skelly | 2/3 | 2/3 | |
| M | Morgan Rogers | 2/3 | 2/3 | |
| F | Harry Kane | 3/3 | 3/3 |
Team News and Confirmed Absentees
For Croatia, no absentees are recorded in the data, so Bilic’s selection headache is one of form rather than fitness. Among the players held in reserve, Luka Modrić’s experience makes him the most obvious option to be drafted into the midfield group should changes be needed.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Erlic | M | injured | Contusion |
England’s situation mirrors that: no absentees are recorded in the data, leaving Tuchel’s group selection questions largely tactical rather than enforced. Jude Bellingham’s two recent starts put him in the strongest position on the bench to step into the attacking midfield three if required.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valentino Livramento | D | injured | Jumpers knee |
Where These Predictions Come From
Each predicted lineup is built from that team’s most recent matches – two for Croatia and three for England – with more recent games weighted more heavily than older ones. Any player confirmed as injured or suspended is stripped out before the XI is assembled. This is a projection drawn from patterns in recent selection, not an announced team news, and it can and will shift once the official lineup is confirmed closer to kickoff.
Read also: Croatia vs England Prediction: 03.10.2026 UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Preview
Read also: Croatia vs England Head-to-Head: Record, Stats and Form as of 1 Oct 2026
FAQ
Who is predicted to start in goal for Croatia vs England?
Dominik Livaković is projected in goal for Croatia, while James Trafford is the expected starter for England, both based on recent starts.
What formation are Croatia and England expected to play?
Both sides are projected in a 4-2-3-1, matching the preferred setups of Slaven Bilic and Thomas Tuchel respectively.
Are there any injuries or suspensions for Croatia or England?
No absentees are recorded in the data for either side ahead of this fixture.
When do Croatia and England kick off?
The UEFA Nations League match kicks off on Saturday 3 October 2026.