France Takes On Belgium in Nations League Showdown: Key Predictions, Lineups, and What to Expect

Long-standing rivals France and Belgium face off in the fourth round of UEFA Nations League action in Saint-Denis on Monday.

Les Bleus currently sit atop the standings in Group 1 of League A following an unbeaten run under Zinédine Zidane's management. A 1–0 victory over Türkiye in his first match in charge was followed by an identical scoreline against Belgium, though his first home game as the former Real Madrid boss ended in a 1–1 stalemate with Italy.

The Red Devils trail their rivals by just a single point as new head coach Mark van Bommel gets off to a promising start on the sidelines. The narrow defeat to France was bookended by dominant wins over Italy and Türkiye, which have breathed new life into the Belgian side following a turbulent World Cup campaign.

This fixture marks the 80th encounter between the two nations, with their inaugural meeting stretching back to 1904. Slightly less excitement is anticipated compared to that occasion, however, as the two sides played out an enthralling 3–3 draw in Brussels.

France vs. Belgium Score Prediction

France Returns to Winning Ways

France may have needed Michael Olise to steal a victory with an 88th-minute goal in the first meeting, but the win could have been more emphatic had they not been wasteful in the attacking third.

Les Bleus generated more expected goals, shots and shots on target, and also struck the woodwork on two occasions. They are evidently the superior side of the two.

The primary concern for the Red Devils is the unavailability of Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne, both suspended for the upcoming encounter. This leaves a significant void in Belgium's midfield and will make chance creation considerably more difficult.

France has already registered two clean sheets during this international window. A third may well be on the cards against a depleted opposition.

Prediction: France 2–0 Belgium

France Predicted Lineup vs. Belgium

Zidane will need to reorganize his defensive unit following Dayot Upamecano's red card against Italy. The center back serves a suspension for the Belgium fixture, meaning the impressive Jérémy Jacquet is expected to partner Maxence Lacroix at the back.

Pierre Kalulu has been preferred over Jules Koundé at right back across the last two matches, while Adrien Truffert looks set to retain his spot on the opposite flank.

Eduardo Camavinga could be brought into midfield in place of Lucas Da Cunha, while the same attacking trio of Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Olise looks poised to cause problems for the Belgian defense.

Naturally, Kylian Mbappé remains a notable absentee after sustaining an injury in the opening fixture against Türkiye.

France predicted lineup vs. Belgium (4-3-3): Maignan; Kalulu, Jacquet, Lacroix, Truffert; Cherki, Camavinga, Rabiot; Olise, Dembélé, Doué.

Belgium Predicted Lineup vs. France

As noted, Belgium will be without both Tielemans and De Bruyne. The latter was especially influential against Türkiye, netting twice before collecting an unnecessary yellow card that rules him out for the trip to France.

Roméo Lavia is expected to step into the side alongside Nicolas Raskin, who should also come in. The pair will form a three-man midfield alongside Hans Vanaken.

Van Bommel has deployed Charles De Ketelaere and Mika Godts in all three of his starting elevens, though there will be competition between Dodi Lukébakio and Diego Moreira for the right-sided berth in the front three.

Lammens will continue between the posts after Thibaut Courtois made himself unavailable for the Nations League despite being fit, while Maxim De Cuyper is expected to return to the back four alongside Timothy Castagne, Nathan Ngoy and Brandon Mechele.

Belgium predicted lineup vs. France (4-3-3): Lammens; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Raskin, Lavia, Vanaken; Lukébakio, De Ketelaere, Godts.

What Time Does France vs. Belgium Kick Off?

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