SportsMul previews Monday's Nations League clash between Belgium and France, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Neighbors Belgium And France They will meet in the fourth match for the second time in a gap of a month UEFA Nations League Monday night.
France have bounced back from an opening-day defeat by winning their last two, while Belgium have slipped from top to third since beating Israel in their opening match.
Competition preview
© Imago
A veritable Jekyll and Hyde show of Belgium saw them Take a point from the Stadio Olimpico Against Italy on Thursday night, they will be sorely disappointed not to come away with a win.
Domenico TedescoThe men completely dominated the opening 30 minutes, trailed 2-0 and threatened to concede more, but Lorenzo PellegriniA poor challenge by Win got him out, and changed the entire pattern of the game.
Thanks to Belgium immediately pulling a pin Maxime de Kuyper, Leandro Trassart The equalizer was then on the hour mark, and the Red Devils claimed they should have had a penalty and a red card. Alessandro BastoniAfter he chopped Lois Opanda Down in the area after a few minutes.
Italy kept 10 on the field to keep Belgium at bay for the remaining half-hour, but the draw leaves Tedesco's men with a minute to spare. Good position after three gamesCould have been better.
Everyone has beaten Israel so far, and Belgium still have two heavyweights to play at home, so despite currently sitting outside the top two, they will feel they have upside.
These two neighbors have become more accustomed to meeting each other as they met face-to-face in France last month and Germany in the summer.
© Imago
France won the reverse 2-0 four weeks ago and Les Bleus also won the Euros, with a memorable 1-0 last-16 win.
Didier Deschamps Despite beating Belgium 2-0 in the Nations League semi-finals in 2021, there was always one against Belgium when it came to competitive meetings as his France side beat Belgium 3-2. 2018 World Cup Semi Final.
If that wasn't enough to make the French feel confident on this short-haul trip, they are 4-1 win over Israel Have an absolutely dominant performance on Thursday.
In neutral Hungary, France were in complete control for 90 minutes, with Israel's equalizer coming with the game's only shot, and after retaking the lead four minutes later, two late goals put a much-deserved gloss on the scoreline.
Deschamps needed a response from his team after a 3-1 loss to Italy on the opening day and that's what he's got, two wins from two, and another one here should almost guarantee a top two finish given what they still have to do. Face the group's whipping boys, Israel, at home.
Belgium Nations League Format:
Belgium Format (All Matches):
France Nations League Format:
France Form (All Matches):
Group messages
© Imago
Romelu Lukaku Despite showing promising form at Napoli, the striker was not recalled, with the striker saying he needed to stay in Naples to continue his fitness.
A constant rift between manager Tedesco and Thibaut Courtois That means the Real Madrid keeper would not have been called up, but he is currently out with an injury. Matt's Cells Pulled out late with a plate.
Kevin De Bruyne Other notable absences, material Yuri Dielmans He is the only member of the 2018 World Cup squad still in the squad.
Tedesco appeared to experiment with the three-at-the-back system in the first half against Italy before the red card.
France is without Kylian Mbappe After he was dropped by his club too soon following a recent setback, he left the squad.
After being dropped following a 3-1 loss to Italy, Antoine Griezmann Despite being one of Deschamps' favourites, he announced his international retirement at the end of last month, saying he did not want to be part of the organization unless he was a regular starter.
I shoot Conde Was not called up after missing his club team's most recent match in Saudi Arabia Adrien RabiotHe also lost his place at Marseille due to lack of game time.
After hitting the bench Thursday, both Bradley Barcola And Matteo Guendouzi After opting for a more attacking line-up against Israel, Deschamps could come into the side if he decides to revert to three in midfield.
Belgium Probable Starting Lineup:
forts; Castagne, Debast, Fez, Thiet, de Kuyper; Tielmans, Mangala; Trossard, Openda, Doku
France probable starting line-up:
Relatives; Counte, Conade, Saliba, De Hernandez; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Guendouzi; Ollis, Kolo Mwani, Barkola
We say: Belgium 1-2 France
In more testing conditions, France have not played well recently, with just six wins over 90 minutes in their last 14 matches, but should be enough to beat a weakened Belgium side here.
Belgium have been unable to compete when playing 11 against Italy, and a 2-0 defeat in Lyon last month suggests they could struggle here again, despite their home advantage.
Please click here for data analysis of most probable results, scores and more for this match.
