Sports

Croatia vs England TV channel, live stream, time, odds and why Nations League game is behind closed doors

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Will Jadon Sancho make his England debut on Friday? (Picture: Getty Images)

England travel to Rijeka this Friday to take on Croatia in a Nations League rematch of the World Cup semi-final from earlier this year.

Croatia won that contest 2-1 after extra-time in Moscow, and whilst it would not be adequate revenge for that devastating defeat, Gareth Southgate would love to get one back on the World Cup finalists.

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It is an exciting young England squad that travels to Croatia, with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Mason Mount and Joe Gomez all involved.

However, there will be no fans in the stadium to watch the match due to Croatia still being banned from accommodating supporters in home games.

England were left dejected after their last meeting with Croatia (Picture: Getty Images)

When is Croatia vs England?

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The match is on Friday, 12 October with kick-off at 7.45pm at the Stadion HNK Rijeka.

What TV channel is Croatia vs England on and is there a live stream?

Sky Sports Main Event will be showing the game live with coverage starting at 7pm.

Subscribers will be able to stream the match through Sky Go or watch on the Sky Sports app whilst non-subscribers can buy a Sky Sports Day Pass on Now TV.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 11: Ivan Perisic of Croatia celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) — Ivan Perisic scored Croatias first goal in their 2-1 win over England in Russia (Picture: Getty Images)

What are the odds? (Courtesy of Betfair)

6/4 Croatia

11/5 Draw

2/1 England

Why is the game being played behind closed doors?

In June 2015 a swastika was visible on the pitch of the Polijud stadium in Split during a Euro 2016 qualifier between Croatia and Italy.

That game was already being played behind closed doors due to racist chanting from fans during a game against Norway in March.

The Nazi symbol was caused by a chemical agent (Picture: Getty Images)

Croatia were told to play their next two UEFA-sanctioned games at home behind closed doors as a result, and this clash with England is the second of the two, despite being three years after the first, which was a 3-0 win over Bulgaria in October 2015.

Croatian Football Federation press officer Tomislav Pacak said at the time of the swastika incident: We apologise to all viewers, our guests from Italy and the players from both teams, for the Nazi symbol on the Poljud Stadium grass,

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Technically speaking, a chemical agent was used on the field 24 to 48 hours before the kick-off, timed to be visible during the qualifying match.

Groundsmen tried to remedy the situation at half time (Picture: Reuters)

During the half-time, we have tried to remedy the situation to the best of our abilities, given the short amount of time, Pacak added.

This was an obvious act of sabotage and a criminal act. We condemn it and ask the police and judicial bodies to find the person(s) responsible for what is a shame not only for Croatian football, but the entire country.

Once again, we express regret and condemn this act, and we apologise to all the viewers, guests and players from both teams.

Croatia were also fined €100,000 for the visible swastika and deducted a point in Euro 2016 qualifying.

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