What TV channel is England vs Croatia on? Date, kick-off time, prediction, betting tips and team news

England will finally get their Euro 2020 campaign under way when they take on Croatia at Wembley in a Group D fixture.

Gareth Southgate’s men have been forced to wait 12 months after the tournament was rescheduled due to the pandemic.

The competition kicks off at 8pm on Friday 11 June with Italy vs Turkey in Rome, while on Saturday it’s Wales vs Switzerland (2pm), Denmark vs Finland (5pm) and Belgium vs Russia (8pm).

Then, it’s England’s time. They welcome World Cup runners-up Croatia to Wembley on Sunday 13 June for a 2pm kick off. There will be 20,000 fans inside the stadium, but the rest will be able to watch on TV.

What channel is England vs Croatia on?

England’s first game of Euro 2020 will be shown live on BBC1.

Coverage starts at 1pm with all the build-up, team news and punditry. The BBC have a strong line-up, including Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Rio Ferdinand, though it doesn’t look as exciting as ITV’s, who will screen live the other two group games.

You can also stream the game live on BBC iPlayer.

England vs Croatia prediction

England go into the game as favourite with the bookies. Gareth Southgate’s side are 4/6 to win at Betfair while the odds for a Croatia victory is 9/2. The draw is 13/5.

England are 9/2 to win 1-0, while a 0-0 draw is 7/1.

England gained revenge for losing 2-1 to Croatia in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup by beating them 2-1 later that year in the Nations League.

The two teams have met 10 times. England have won five matches while Croatia have managed to defeat England on three occasions, with two ending in a draw.

England vs Croatia team news

Harry Maguire won’t be fit to start for England as he recovers from an ankle injury, meaning he must choose whether to ditch the 4-3-3 system and play three at the back. If he stays with a back four, it’s between Tyrone Mings and Conor Coady to partner John Stones.

In midfield, Jordan Henderson’s lack of game time means Southgate will choose from Kalvin Phillips or 17-year-old Jude Bellingham to operate in centre midfield alongside Declan Rice. Mason Mount and Phil Foden seem certain starters behind captain Harry Kane which leaves one place left in attack between Jack Grealish, Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling.

England’s predicted starting team: Pickford, Walker, Stones, Mings, Shaw; Rice, Phillips; Foden, Mount, Sterling; Kane.