UEFA Nations League 2018: 5 On-field battles that could decide the England vs Croatia match

England vs Croatia is going to be a very important game not only for both these teams but for Spain as well.

This game will decide the fate of League A group 4 of Nations League with all the teams still having a chance to qualify for next stage and keep their hopes of winning the Nations League alive.

Both these teams know each other well, having each other twice in the last four months and on both occasions,

England was unable to get the best of Dalic's Croatia. On this occasion though only a win can help England's cause.

These are the 5 key battles where the game can be decided.

#5 Dejan Lovren vs Harry Kane

Dejan Lovren and Harry Kane are familiar foes and play against each other regularly in Premier League for Liverpool and Tottenham respectively.

Lovren had a good game against England last time in home conditions, but Kane is someone who surely brings backs the memories of Tottenham at Wembley last season where Lovren was substituted before halftime after a horrible performance against the Spurs.

Now, back at the very same stadium, it will be interesting to see how he deals with Kane with crowd support against him.

Lovren has definitely improved a lot as a defender since van Dijk joined Liverpool but keeping Kane quiet is no easy job even for the self-proclaimed one of the best defenders in the world.

With Kane's aerial ability Lovren could also be the man asked to man-mark him on the set-pieces as well.

Kane is extremely important for England's attack and Lovren on the other side extremely important for Croatia's defence as pinpointed by Croatia's 6-0 defeat to Spain in the absence of Lovren for Croatia's first Nations League game.

This battle can make or break one team's attack and other's defence.

#4 Ivan Perisic vs Kyle Walker

Perisic is one of the most deadly wingers in the football world right now. It will be interesting to see how attack-minded full-back Walker deals with him, as it was Perisic who ran the show against this England side in the semi-final of the World cup in Russia.

Both the players have speed in them and makes it an interesting battle. Walker's defensive abilities are not as good as his attacking traits and Perisic can exploit that and help Croation attacks.

Walker's defensive abilities will definitely be put onto a test by Perisic's trickery and speed combination.

Moreover, Perisic's ability to create space for himself as well as his teammates can cause lots of problems on the right side of English defence.

This battle will determine if Perisic will be able to create havoc on the right side of English defence as the case was in the semi-final in Russia or Walker will keep him out of the game.

#3 Ante Rebic vs Harry Maguire

Maguire has the physical presence that he can use well against Rebic, but the Croatians speed can be a nuisance throughout the game

Ante Rebic has been moved to the centre of the Croatian attack since Mandzukic retired from International duty and with his pace and intelligent movement has proved to be an attacking threat for the Croatians.

Since the World cup in Russia, Rebic has been an important attacking player for Croatia and a regular starter for them as well.

Harry Maguire has been the best defender in recent months for England but will have work in his hand if he has to stop Rebic from getting behind the backline and making goal scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Maguire has the physical presence that he can use well against Rebic, but the Croatians speed can be a nuisance throughout the game.

Rebic's speed and intelligent movement caused a lot of problems for Spanish defenders and if he can recreate that night's performance again, then Maguire is going to have a tough night on his hands.

Rebic is someone who creates goal scoring opportunities for Croatia and this battle can be a difference between a goal or not for Croatia.

#2 Luka Modric vs Jordan Henderson

Modric vs Henderson can decide which team will dominate the midfield

Luka Modric is one of the best playmakers in the world and the FIFA Player of the Year's performance for Croatia can determine the result of the game.

Jordan Henderson is one of England's reliable player and has the duty tasked to him of screening the English defence.

Henderson's ability to hold on to possession and distribute it neatly is one of the most under-appreciated ability of the Liverpool skipper but England makes good use of it.

He will have work in his hands to keep Modric quite for the 90 minutes with his pressing as well as then passing the ball to the more creative English players.

With Rakitic ruled out for the game playmaking responsibilities will lie completely on Modric's shoulder and his one perfect pass can split open the English defence.

Modric is undoubtedly Croatia's most important player and the English midfield needs to keep him quiet, especially Henderson, in his defensive midfield role.

Modric vs Henderson can decide which team will dominate the midfield.

#1 Jedvaj vs Rashford

With Rashford's pace and trickery, it will be interesting to see how Jedvaj deals with him

Jedvaj played as a left-back against Spain and managed to score a brace including the winning goal.

In the absence of the regular left-back for Croatia against Spain Jedvaj was selected to play on the left of defence for Croatia. But Jedvaj naturally plays on the right side of the defence and Rashford can cause him some problems.

With Rashford's pace and trickery, it will be interesting to see how Jedvaj deals with him. Rashford would definitely relish his chance against an unnatural left-back.

Although Jedvaj did well against Spain, England is a different proposition both in possession and attack.

Rashford can set up others as well as score himself and Jedvaj will need to make sure Rashford doesn't cut inside from the wings and cause problems to Croatia.

Rashford attacking prowess on the right side can cause Jedvaj to stay back and not support Perisic in attack helping England's cause.