Paris, a packed Stade de France and a rivalry that has produced one team’s dominance for years. This France vs Belgium preview covers everything you need before Monday’s Nations League showdown, including kickoff time, team news, predicted lineups and our prediction.
Zidane Wants His First Home Win
New France coach Zinedine Zidane is still looking for his first home win in charge of Les Bleus. France are unbeaten this campaign. They beat Turkiye 1-0, then won 1-0 in Brussels against this same opponent, and were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy on Friday, when Michael Olise’s superb goal was cancelled out by Alessandro Bastoni.
Team News: France
Kylian Mbappe remains out injured, having hurt his knee in the opening game against Turkiye. That matters, since he is the leading active scorer in this rivalry with five goals. France will also be without Dayot Upamecano, who is suspended after picking up a late red card against Italy, so Maxence Lacroix should start at centre-back.
Team News: Belgium
Belgium have problems too. Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans are both missing, which leaves a hole in midfield, and Romeo Lavia is expected to start again. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has made himself unavailable for the Nations League despite not being injured, so Senne Lammens is expected to continue in goal under coach Mark van Bommel.
Predicted Lineups
France (4-3-3): Maignan; Kalulu, Jacquet, Lacroix, Truffert; Cherki, Camavinga, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Doue
Belgium (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Lavia, Raskin; Lukebakio, Vanaken, Godts; De Ketelaere
Lineups are unconfirmed, so check team news before kickoff.
Players to Watch
- Michael Olise: The Bayern Munich winger has been France’s main threat in attack.
- Ousmane Dembele: He can open up any defence with one burst of pace.
- Charles De Ketelaere: Belgium’s best creative hope while the midfield stars are away.
Head-to-Head
France have won the last six meetings between the sides across all competitions, including that 1-0 win in Brussels last Monday. Belgium have not beaten Les Bleus in years, and their depleted midfield makes it hard to see that changing tonight.
France vs Belgium Prediction
France are the clear favourites. Khel Now predicts a 2-1 home win and Sports Illustrated predicts 2-0. I’m going with France 2-1 Belgium, with Belgium scoring once but not enough to avoid a seventh straight defeat to Les Bleus.
Who wins in Paris? Drop your score prediction in the comments and bookmark this page for the full match report.
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