Mitch Freeley

It certainly promises to be an interesting encounter as Croatia take on England in the UEFA Nations League. You can watch all the action Live & Exclusive on HD11 & beIN SPORTS CONNECT.

• How to watch Online – beIN SPORTS CONNECT
• Channel- HD 11
• Kick- Off – 21:45
• Stadium- Stadion HNK Rijeka, Rijeka

It’s a replay of the World Cup semi-final as Croatia take on England on Friday evening. The game will have a different feel, with the contest taking place behind closed as doors serve out a stadium ban for having a swastika on their pitch in a Euro 2016 qualifier against Italy.  As ever, you can watch Croatia Vs England via beIN SPORTS CONNECT.

Having been thrashed 6-0 in their opening Nations League game against Spain, Croatia will be aiming to get their first points of the competition. Zlatko Dalic will be well aware of the threat posed by the Three Lions and will be without a host of experienced players such as the likes of Vedran Ćorluka, Danijel Subašić and Mario Mandžukić who have all opted to retire.

In team news, Dejan Lovren and Ante Rebic have returned to the squad having missed the Spain game. Unfortunately for Dalic a host of players will be missing through injury including Sime Vrsaljko, Marcelo Brozovic, Borna Barisic, Lovre Kalinic and Duje Cop.

As for England, they are looking for their first points in the Nations League following a 2-1 defeat to Spain in September.

Gareth Southgate has opted to freshen up his side ahead of the two Nations League games and has brought in the debutant trio of Mason Mount, James Maddison & Jadon Sancho. 18-year old Sancho is perhaps the most exciting prospect of the trio, the former Man City youth player has had a flying start in the Bundesliga and has six assists and a goal to his name.

In further team news,  Luke Shaw and Burnley defender James Tarkowski have withdrawn through injury. Ben Chilwell of Leicester and Lewis Dunk of Brighton have been called up in their place. Deli Alli and Jesse Lingard are also notable absentees, which could cause Southgate to tinker with the side. A 3-4-3 with Marcus Rashford joining Harry Kane & Raheem Sterling in attack is likely. Whilst in defence, Southgate will stick with the three at the back that served him so well at the World Cup, with Maguire, Stones & Walker all likely to play.