Belgium vs France: Match Preview & predictions
Belgium vs France: Match Preview & predictions. Brussels plays host to the Flemish derby on Monday night, as Belgium take on France in the UEFA Nations League.
These two sides are hunting down Italy at the top of Group A2, with Belgium picking up a draw against the Azzurri on Thursday night after Luciano Spalletti‘s side were reduced to ten men.
The Red Devils have picked up four points from their opening three group games thus far and could do with a rare victory over France on Monday night to stand a chance of claiming top spot and advancing into next year’s finals.
Les Bleus edged a drab encounter with their upcoming opponents in the last 16 at Euro 2024, and they eased past Domenico Tedesco’s side at the start of their current Nations League campaign. They’ve now won their previous four games against Belgium, last losing to their neighbours in 2015.
The 2018 World Cup winners enter Monday’s game, having dismantled Israel 4-1 on Thursday night.
Check out how we preview of the Nations League clash in Brussels later tonight.
What time does Belgium vs France kick-off?
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Stadium: Stade Roi Baudouin
Date: Monday 14 October
Kick-off Time: 19:45 BST / 14:45 ET / 11:45 PT
Referee: Irfan Peljto (BIH)
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski (POL)
Belgium vs France H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Belgium: 1 win
France: 4 wins
Draws: 0
Last meeting: France 2-0 Belgium (9 September 2024) – Nations League
Belgium team news;
There are several notable absentees from Domenico Tedesco’s squad, including Kevin De Bruyne, who is nursing a pelvic injury sustained in Manchester City‘s stalemate with Inter last month.
Romelu Lukaku also hasn’t been called up despite his impressive start to the 2024/25 campaign, while the injured Thibaut Courtois also remains unavailable for selection.
Matz Sels has pulled out of the squad with a knock, so Koen Casteels is expected to start on Monday night and Tedesco should retain the back three that started against Italy on Thursday.
Belgium predicted lineup vs France
Belgium (3-4-3): Casteels; Debast, Faes, Theate; Castagne, Tielemans, Mangala, De Cuyper; Trossard, Openda, Doku.
France team news;
Antoine Griezmann had been a regular under Didier Deschamps, but the Atletico Madrid star announced his retirement from the international football before France’s October fixtures.
The visitors are also without Kylian Mbappe, who wasn’t called up to the squad despite rushing back from a minor injury before the break. Randal Kolo Muani could lead France’s line on Monday, with Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola joining him in the frontline.
There could also be a start for Matteo Guendouzi in the middle of the park alongside Madrid midfield duo, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.
France predicted lineup vs Belgium
France (4-3-3): Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Guendouzi; Olise, Kolo Muani, Barcola.
Belgium vs France score prediction
Belgium are slowly drifting away from their golden generation, but with some of their star players absent, it will likely hinder them on Monday night, even though France have to do without Griezmann and Mbappe.
The Red Devils were comfortably second best in Italy on Thursday before the hosts were reduced to ten, with Tedesco yet to find an optimal formula with this set of players.
This should be a very tight and cagey game, but we pick the visitors to come out on top.
Prediction: Belgium 1-2 France
