Prediction: France vs Belgium

Verdict: France win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Desperately seeking a much-needed boost on Monday night, France will welcome Belgium to Paris for what is a heavyweight Nations League showdown.

France

Starting with the hosts, while France might have decided to stick with Didier Deschamps following on from their EURO 24 frustration over the summer, the 55-year-old has a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders. Opening their Nations League adventure with an infamous collapse on home soil over the weekend as they eventually fell to a 3-1 loss at the hands of Italy, Les Bleus are desperately seeking some kind of boost. Enduring a lacklustre summer over in Germany as they watched their European campaign come to a semi-final end against eventual winners Spain, France have remarkably won just a pair of their previous eight appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes. Recording just a pair of goals from open play during their EURO 24 campaign, Deschamps’ downbeat squad are searching for a clinical edge in the final third.

Team News

Still searching for a new club after leaving Italian heavyweights Juventus over the summer, Adrien Rabiot has not been included in France’s squad. Shipping a trio of strikes against Italy on their international return a few days ago, the likes of Dayot Upamecano and Jules Kounde will be hoping for a full recall here.

Bagging what was a consolation strike in Paris over the weekend and enjoying what has been a hugely impressive start to the new campaign, PSG talisman Bradley Barcola will once again partner Kylian Mbappe in the final third.

Belgium

As for the visitors, although Belgium might have travelled over to Germany this summer in the midst of a real flurry, the Red Devils once again endured more frustration on the major tournament stage. Only just about dragging themselves to the knockout stage and eventually crashing out at the Round of 16 stage following a dramatic late 1-0 loss at the hands of France, Domenico Tedesco’s camp faced a huge backlash after returning home. However, despite gaining a reputation for their issues under the brightest of lights, the former RB Leipzig boss saw his squad open their Nations League adventure with a routine performance on home soil. Getting proceedings underway with a 3-1 victory against Israel, the Red Devils are desperate to make a heavyweight statement when they travel to Paris on Monday night.

Team News

While the record-breaking Romelu Lukaku might have completed a move to Napoli over the summer, the former Chelsea marksman has been handed a rest and will not feature in Paris on Monday night. Likewise, in what was a shock announcement, Arsenal star Leandro Trossard was omitted from Belgium’s squad.

Bagging a brace against Israel over the weekend and already opening his Premier League account this season, 33-year-old Kevin De Bruyne will lead out Belgium here and earn a 107th international cap.

Key Factors to Consider

• When France and Belgium met during this summer’s European Championships on July 1st, Les Bleus picked up a 1-0 victory in the Round of 16 stage.
• France have won all of their previous three meetings against Belgium by an aggregate score of 5-2.
• Monday’s hosts have won just a pair of their previous eight appearances across all competitions within 90 minutes.
• The Red Devils have failed to secure back-to-back competitive victories over the past 11 months.
• Five of the previous seven meetings between France and Belgium have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Eventually falling to what was an infamous 3-1 drumming at home against Italy over the weekend, France have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders here. Drastically struggling to find any kind of stability on either side of their EURO 24 frustration over the summer, Les Bleus know the importance of claiming a crucial boost here. Sending Belgium packing on July 1st as they clinched a dramatic late 1-0 win at the Round of 16 stage, Deschamps will be desperately seeking a repeat outcome here. Holding a dominant record against Monday’s guests and winning all of their previous three battles by an aggregate score of 5-2, we are backing France to get a maiden Nations League victory on the board.

Verdict: France win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Luckster