The Inter winger is the top-scorer in Dalic's current squad and Al Hain-Cole expects him to pose a threat yet again versus the Three Lions
Croatia are looking to rebuild their forward line after Mario Mandzukic’s retirement following the sensational run to the World Cup final.
Ivan Santini was chosen to lead the line in just his fourth cap in the 6-0 humbling by Spain last time out, and is the 6/1 (7.00) favourite to break the deadlock for the hosts with William Hill, or priced at 9/4 (3.25) to merely open his international account.
However, the Anderlecht striker is likely to be replaced by the more experienced Andrej Kramaric after his return to the squad, and he looks like better value at 12/5 (3.40) anytime odds.
In fact, Croatia’s most potent threat could come from the wing rather than up front, where Ivan Perisic is well worth backing at 13/5 (3.60) to score for the fourth international match in five.
The Inter attacker grabbed the equaliser in his side’s semi-final victory over England at the World Cup, and his 22 goals make him the top-scorer in the current squad following Mandzukic’s retirement.
At the other end of the pitch, Harry Kane will be looking to bring his international barren run to an end when England take on Croatia in Rijeka on Friday.
The Tottenham striker has gone five games without a goal for the Three Lions, having failed to fire since dispatching a penalty in the World Cup last-16 clash against Colombia.
Nevertheless, the 25-year-old is in strong club form after scoring four times in his last four matches, and is William Hill’s 7/2 (4.50) favourite to open the scoring at the Stadion HNK Rijeka, or 5/4 (2.25) to strike anytime.
In contrast, Marcus Rashford has scored just once for Manchester United so far this campaign but hit the net in each of his last two international appearances, and can be backed at 12/5 (3.40) to make it three in a row.
Rashford became the youngest player to score on his England debut with a goal against Australia two years ago, and you can get odds of 19/5 (4.80) on 18-year-old Jadon Sancho breaking that record after joining Gareth Southgate’s squad for the first time.