Group D

Croatia

Czech Republic

England

Scotland

Round 1

• Sunday 13 June: 14:00
  → England - Croatia (London)
• Monday 14 June 14:00
  → Scotland - Czech Republic (Glasgow)

Round 2

• Friday 18 June: 17:00
  → Croatia - Czech Republic (Glasgow)
• Friday 18 June: 20:00
  → England - Scotland (London)

Round 3

• Tuesday 22 June: 20:00
  → Czech Republic - England (London)
• Tuesday 22 June: 20:00
  → Croatia - Scotland (Glasgow)

*Please note that all Round 3 matches in Euro 2021 are played at the same time.

All games are listed as GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

*Odds correct at the time of writing (18 May 2021)

Croatia are the quintessential underdogs turned overachievers. Now Zlatko Dalic's intrepid troops have emerged from their World Cup final loss three years ago amongst a generational sea change. The question is whether Croatia's old guard can show the new boys how it's done. 

It's been a topsy turvy few years for Croatia fans. They still believe in their team but their fortunes as of late have been difficult to say the least. Topping their Euro qualifying group gave way to a miserable Nations League campaign. 

Beaten, battered but reinvigorated

Now the Croats are looking back on track and just in time for this summer's tournament. It provides a chance to renew rivalry with the English in the hopes of slipping out of the group unscathed into the knockout stage. 

How will Croatia line up?

Dalic remains as coach of Croatia from the World Cup, so does captain Luka Modric and a whole host of other stand out names such as Ante Rebic, Marcelo Brozovic, Sime Vrsaljko and Mateo Kovacic. Mandukic and Rakitic have since retired.

Through injuries to key players amidst retirements, the manager has sought to blood in a new wave of international starlets, watch out for Nikola Vlasic in particular. 

Dalic has tampered with formations lately, moving between a 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1. He is likely to favour a solid back four, but with a number of exciting attacking options he is at liberty to change front formation at will. 

Czech Republic have qualified for every European Championships since they gained independence, a run stretching back to Euro '96. Fast forward 25 years and unfortunately they are a side that lack the flair, invention and excitement of that standout vintage.

The Czechs have pretty decent although not outstanding form heading into Euro 2021. They tend to deal in absolutes, only registering one draw across Euro qualifying and more recent matches. 

Manager Jaroslav Silhavy and his team can be got to though. Scotland in particular will take solace in the fact that they've already got the better of them as have neighbours Wales.

How will Czech Republic line up?

Jaroslav Silhavy knows what he's working with in his national outfit. He favours a 4-2-3-1 formation that provides the chance for stability under pressure and it either generally tends to work or it really doesn't.

Their squad is punctuated by West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek and a spate of players who feature for middling sides across Europe. Stability is the essence of midfield and creativity tends to be at a loose end. If the Czechs take three points it will be sparingly.

What is there to say about England that everyone doesn't already know? They are perennial underachievers that always have standout talent plying their trade in Europe's toughest league. They've also favourites alongside World Cup winners France. 

Gareth Southgate has brought stability and a refreshing common sense largely built on meritocracy to the England camp. He led the Three Lions to their best finish since 1990 three years ago in Russia. 

It's coming home whether England win it or not

Since then England have continued to perform well in qualifying but still tend to crumble under pressure. Two unsuccessful Nations League campaigns they were favourites to win and Croatia semi final still seared into the memory.

If Southgate can get his tactics right England could prove to be steamrollers at Euro 2021. 

How will England line up?

It starts and ends with England captain fantastic and MBE Harry Kane. Who lines up behind him is one of the toughest selection questions Southgate has ahead of him. Mason Mount, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling - wow.

Defensive mainstay and Manchester United captain Harry Maguire will be fighting injury but is named in the squad. England will look to use terrific attacking intent on the flanks with the likes of Luke Shaw, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben Chilwell all going to the Euros.

Southgate is likely to use a favoured 4-3-3 can maximise attacking options across the pitch although some outlets think he will lad with a 3-5-2 in the opening match against Croatia.

Scotland have qualified for their first major tournament since the turn of the century which is something to shout about in itself. But the Scots won't be happy being also rans, especially considering they're drawn in a group with bitter rivals England. 

Qualifying through the back door via the Nations League, Scotland can be considered one of the weaker teams at the Euros this summer. The draw could've been much worse and they will fancy their chances getting out of this group, especially with a potential third place finish up for grabs.

Hampden Park brings vital home advantage 

Recent form has been favourable though not electrifying. Games tend to be tight and if Scotland can stifle opposition it will be to their advantage.

How will Scotland line up?

Gordon Strachan has plenty of managerial experience and has making his Scotland side a dour but tough team to beat. There is stand out talent here but scattered inconsistently across the pitch. 

The likes of Manchester United's Scott McTominay in central midfield is a powerful prospect while Chelsea's Billy Gilmour and Liverpool's Andrew Robertson provide a welcome flair that is bereft in the forward line. Still John McGinn bagged seven in qualifying. 

Expect Strachan to line them up with plenty of bodies in defence and midfield, although he has most recently used three at the back with two forwards supporting key striking options. 

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