France vs Belgium Prediction: Euro 2024 Team News and Lineups Preview

France vs Belgium prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview from our betting expert. Perhaps the most high-profile match of the last 16 comes from Dusseldorf on Monday evening where France play Belgium. Neither nation could win their respective group which is why we have this matchup so early in the knockout phase. Can Belgium gain revenge on the 2018 World Cup semi final? Soccer expert Steve Wyss previews the match with his best bets & analysis.

• France vs Belgium Tip 1: France to win
• France vs Belgium Tip 2: Under 2.5 goals
• France vs Belgium Tip 3: Half time draw

Silvestre: France Need to Improve Finishing but Should Progress

France didn’t make things easy for themselves and now have Belgium in the Round of 16. What major improvements does Deschamps need to implement ahead of this game?

“The final third and the finishing needs improvement. Accuracy up front is the only thing that needs improvement because we had a lot of chances in the three games. Enough chances to put all of the games to bed.”

“It’s down to the players. I think Deschamps doesn’t need to do that much to be honest.”

How do you expect the game to play out? Who will be the key players?

“Kante, Tchouameni and Rabiot will have to watch out for Kevin de Bruyne.”

“Kounde has to face Doku.”

“Most of the danger comes from these two players and they’ll have to be extremely cautious around those two players.”

Do you think France’s big game experience will be the difference maker against Belgium?

“France are used to playing in big games. I think that’s a slight advantage.”

“They’ve beaten Belgium many times in the recent past. France have the upper hand psychologically but that doesn’t mean much going into the game.”

“France shouldn’t lack confidence for sure.”

KDB has struggled to impose himself like he does at club level. Think he’ll be contained by France’s defensive unit?

“I think he’s having a good tournament. That’s my opinion. He will be a threat so special attention to him. He can create chances, score himself and is a big threat on set pieces. Try to avoid giving free-kicks around the box.”

What would be your ideal French XI for this match?

“I would more or less start with the same side that started against Holland.”

“Same back four (Hernandez, Saliba, Upamecano and Kounde). Tchouameni, Kante and Rabiot in midfield and up front, I would bring back Marcus Thuram. Mbappe central and Dembele on the right.”

“I would start like this and see how it goes.”

France vs Belgium – “France in normal time”

France vs Belgium Prediction 1: Les Bleus to show their class in titanic battle

Euro 2024, Monday July 1st, 17:00 (UK)

France have not yet played anywhere near their best in this tournament and it’s high time they delivered. Didier Deschamps has claimed that a ‘brand new tournament’ now starts and in many ways he’s absolutely right. 

Les Bleus failed to beat Poland and are now on the more difficult side of the draw. But they managed to negotiate that to win the World Cup in 2018 and France won’t fear anyone. This team has experience and enjoyed plenty of success. If they can’t raise their levels to face arch-rivals Belgium then nothing will awaken this beast.

Belgium have plenty of talent at their disposal but there is a lack of conviction and a disjointment about their performances so far. Kevin De Bruyne is carrying this team but how far can he take them alone? Romelu Lukaku is simply missing far too many chances and the end product of Jeremy Doku is far too inconsistent. Has the manager been able to get the right blend of players on the field? It is strange how the likes of Lois Openda have hardly been used yet look effective when getting minutes.

Belgium didn’t take the bull by the horns in the last group game vs Ukraine. Had they won the group then they would’ve had a much easier draw in Euro 2024. That suggests a weak mentality and a fear of failure. I am convinced that France will raise their levels and find a way to win this game. They have the strong defensive foundations required to keep a clean sheet so it might be a case of just finding the odd goal to prevail, like they did in the 2018 World Cup final. 

• France vs Belgium Prediction 1: France to win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.90
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

France vs Belgium Prediction 2: Tense and tight battle should develop

A lot of matches in the knockout phase of a major tournament often get very tense, tight and produce a lower goal production. These two nations have a big rivalry but will respect one another. Nobody will want to make too many aggressive and risky moves unless they have to. France have stumbled offensively in Euro 2024 but their defence looks pretty solid. 

William Saliba has been exceptional and developed a strong partnership with Dayot Upamecano. Theo Hernandez and Jules Kounde have both looked solid at fullback and this is the one area of the French engine which needs no work. Belgium have been misfiring too many chances in this tournament but they won’t get as many in this contest.

France have only conceded from a penalty kick and the only time Belgium let in a goal was very early vs Slovakia following a mistake. They have experience at the back with someone like Jan Vertonghen, mixed with fight and guile from Arthur Theate and Wout Faes. It is unlikely that the Belgians will be as open and attacking in this game and should sit deeper at times to combat the French threat. 

This is the type of match which will probably be won by one moment of brilliance and is unlikely to contain a plethora of chances. Goals can change games but if either team gets ahead then we should expect them to sit on the advantage. Taking the under 2.25 goal line makes sense because it covers for a tight victory either way or a low-scoring draw. 

• France vs Belgium Prediction 2: Under 2.25 goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.82
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

France vs Belgium Prediction 3: Strong possibility of a first half stalemate

Both teams have been involved in some very low-scoring matches at this tournament so far. With a close, tight and tense game expected then 0-0 at the interval is a very probable scoreline. It’s unlikely that either team comes out of the traps quickly, instead preferring to feel each other out as the match develops quickly. France have been drawing 0-0 at HT in both of their last two games and know their big strength right now is the solid nature of their defence. 

Belgium look like a fearful team who will be reluctant to take too many risks. Domenico Tedesco’s side were highly impressive in qualifying but have not looked like their usual selves at Euro 2024. 

Some gremlins from their World Cup debacle in Qatar have started to reappear and they seem relieved just to make it to the knockout round. Their negative mentality makes me think they won’t tackle this game head-on and will prefer to wait longer in the game before committing more bodies forward. I like the betting combination of backing under match goals in addition to the halftime draw. These two picks often go hand in hand.

• France vs Belgium Prediction 3: Half time draw (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.05
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10

France vs Belgium Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, June 28th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

France vs Belgium Euro 2024 Team News and Possible Lineups: Out of form Thuram to stay on the bench

France have not fired yet, especially offensively. They should be helped by a fitter Kylian Mbappé who has had a full game with a mask on to get used to it. Didier Deschamps has a decision to make with the rest of the French attack. Bradley Barcola will likely keep his place ahead of Marcus Thuram who has been out of form. Olivier Giroud could also be an option if Deschamps prefers. 

Belgium could lineup in either a 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 system. There won’t be too many changes because the manager seems fairly settled on a set of favourites. Dodi Lukebakio is available after suspension and should come back into the side. Romelu Lukaku continues to be the preferred option upfront even though he has missed a lot of chances. 

France possible starting lineup:
Maignan, Hernandez, Saliba, Upamecano, Kounde, Rabiot, Kante, Griezmann, Barcola, Mbappe, Dembele

Belgium possible starting lineup:
Casteels, Vertonghen, Theate, Faes, Castagne, Onana, Tielemans, De Bruyne, Doku, Lukaku, Lukebakio

Euro 2024 Match Stats: History Favours Les Bleus

• France have won the two recent H2H meetings, including the bad-blooded 1-0 win in the 2018 World Cup
• Both teams rank in the top five for shots per game at Euro 2024 (16)
• France are the most fouled team at Euro 2024 at an average of 14.70 per game
• Both sides average comfortably over 55% possession in this tournament

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