Belgium vs France Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Belgium vs France prediction, team news and lineups preview. Belgium came from 0-2 down to  draw 2-2 vs Italy on Thursday evening, a result which keeps them in contention to win this Nations League group. But they must now beat a France side they normally struggle against. The visitors themselves need to win to keep up with group leaders Italy. Les Bleus head into the contest after an easy 4-1 win vs Israel on Thursday. Expert Steve Wyss previews the match from the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels with the best bets & analysis.

• Belgium vs France Tip 1: Over 2.5 goals
• Belgium vs France Tip 2: Leandro Trossard to score anytime
• Belgium vs France Tip 3: Bradley Barcola to score anytime

Belgium vs France Prediction 1: Goals should flow in Nations League thriller

UEFA Nations League, Monday 14th October, 19:45 (UK)

Belgium have a big problem when facing France. They seem to freeze, something which was especially apparent on the big stage at the World Cup and European Championship. They were expected to perform better last month in Paris for what was a favorable situation, but instead threw in a stinker of a performance to lose 0-2. They were comprehensively outplayed by Les Bleus and the fall out was some disenchantment from star man Kevin De Bruyne.

The Man City star is not included in this round of matches and neither is Kylian Mbappe for France. This has enabled both managers to try a few new things out and there are hungry players in each rank who want to perform and do well for their country. Belgium really needs to get a result here so we can expect them to come firing out of the traps. They are not to be trusted on the Asian lines so the best betting approach is probably to take the goals here. The only match in this group to go under 2.5 and BTTS no was the reverse fixture. But the stats suggest otherwise, with nearly 35 shots and a combined xG of 3.50. Over 2.5 goals is worth backing at 1.85 because this should be quite an open match 

• Belgium vs France Prediction 1: Over 2.5 goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.85
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Belgium vs France Prediction 2: Take Trossard to shine in new role

One player who could benefit from the absence of Kevin De Bruyne is Arsenal star Leandro Trossard. More often used on the wings, or even upfront in the past, he was given the #’10 role for Belgium against Italy on Thursday and rewarded his manager with a goal and an assist. He’s been in and out of the Arsenal team and was frustratingly underused in Euro 2024 but this could be his time to shine. Void this bet if he doesn’t start but it’s hard to see him not being in the XI. 

Trossard doesn’t have a bad national team record, scoring 10 goals and supplying 5 assists from 39 appearances. What he’s always lacked is a consistent run in the team. Domenico Tedesco is no fool and will stick with what worked on Thursday. He should be able to replicate this #10 role for this match and the November window which De Bruyne is rumored to miss as well. If you prefer to play it safe then taking Trossard to score or assist is an option, but the Arsenal man is as big as 4.0 to score anytime, which looks generous. 

• Belgium vs France Prediction 2: Leandro Trossard to score anytime (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 4.0
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 2/10

Belgium vs France Prediction 3: Back Bradley to deliver again

This is one of the rare instances where the advice is NOT to void the bet if the player doesn’t start. Barcola is just as much of a threat if he comes off the bench because he’s such an impact player. One could argue that France’s most in-form player this season is the former Lyon man. He’s bagged 6 goals in 7 Ligue 1 appearances and scored two goals for the National team in three games. Barcola was given a breather to the bench on Thursday against Israel but still managed to make an impact by scoring late.

He looked a massive threat as per usual and without Kylian Mbappe he can be the main protagonist for Les Bleus cutting inside off the left wing. France could switch back to a 4-3-3 system here with PSG duo Barcola and Dembele potentially on both wings. When he’s on the ball Barcola just looks a million dollars though and has far more composure than his counterpart. He’s confident, has the technique and decision making. Compared to some other France players he looks overpriced at 4.50 to hit the back of the net. 

• Belgium vs France Prediction 3: Bradley Barcola to score anytime (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 4.50
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 2/10

Belgium vs France Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, October 11th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Belgium vs France Team News: France could switch back to a 4-3-3

Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku were not included in the squad for this window of Nations League games. The hosts will likely have a similar XI to the team which faced Italy on Thursday

Didier Deschamps opted to go with a 4-2-3-1 formation against Israel but could switch back to a 4-3-3 here. Warren Zaire-Emery is the most likely to come back into the side, whilst Bradley Barcola is also a candidate to return to the starting XI. 

Belgium possible starting lineup:
Casteels, De Cuyper, Theate, Faes, Debast, Mangala, Tielemans, Doku, Trossard, De Ketelaere, Openda

France possible starting lineup:
Maignan, T. Hernandez, Saliba, Konate, Kounde, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Zaire-Emery, Barcola, Dembele, Kolo-Muani

Match OPTA Stats: Can Belgium end their France hoodoo?

• France have won the last four competitive head to head meetings against Belgium, including a 2-0 win last month in this group.
• Both sides average over 15 shots per game in the Nations League
• Belgium average the most possession in the group (59.7%)
• Belgium average the most fouls (11.3) per game in this Nations League group

Safer Gambling

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.