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UEFA Nations League: England go to Croatia for World Cup rematch

By Orri Benatar

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: Harry Kane of England and Raheem Sterling of England take part in a training session during the England Training Session at St Georges Park on October 11, 2018 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 11: Harry Kane of England and Raheem Sterling of England take part in a training session during the England Training Session at St Georges Park on October 11, 2018 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Croatia are banged up

Zlatko Dalic has brought the incredible midfield foursome of Modric, Rakitic, Perisic, and Kovacic for this game against England and a friendly versus Jordan. However, the squad is missing some key players from the World Cup due to injury. The big absences are Marcelo Brozovic and Sime Vrsaljko, two staples of the World Cup squad that are needed against England.

Up top, Croatia also will be missing Mario Mandzukic, the man who knocked England out of the World Cup. The striking options include Ante Rebic of Eintracht Frankfurt, Andrej Kramaric of Hoffenheim, and the Marko’s (Livaja of Athens and Pjaca of Fiorentina). Based purely on squad strength, England has the edge with in-form midfielders and much better striking options.

Elsewhere in Europe

Some other big matches will be happening today across Europe. As England play Croatia, Belgium will attempt to take first place in Group 2 in League A when they host Switzerland. The squad is at full-strength with Kevin De Bruyne the only glaring absence. In the lower divisions, Northern Ireland is in Vienna to face Austria. Both teams are six points behind Bosnia & Herzegovina in League B, Group 3.

Next. Matches to watch during October break. dark

In Leagues C & D, Luxembourg and Finland will both try to keep their perfect records intact as they push to having that second-chance of Euro 2020 qualification secured next month. It should be an action-packed day in Europe as the Nations League continues.

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