Belgium vs France Nations League prediction: Match preview, team news, key stats & h2h

Belgium are looking to make it two consecutive UEFA Nations League victories when they take on heavyweights France in their second Group A1 match on Monday night.

Both teams kicked off the tournament with significant wins with Belgium defeating Italy 2-0 in Rome, while France edged Turkey 1-0 in Zinedine Zidane’s first competitive match as head coach.

The Nations League schedule makes this an important early meeting because Belgium and France will also face each other in Paris on October 5.

Mark Van Bommel began life as Belgium coach on a high with Mika Godts and Davide Lukebakio both getting goals in the crucial win against Italy. 

France’s all time leading scorer Kylian Mbappe got the only goal in the win against Turkey, though he will miss this game after picking up a knee injury that is set to keep him out for an unclear period of time. 

The most recent competitive meeting in Brussels ended Belgium 1-2 France in the 2024 Nations League, with Randal Kolo Muani scoring twice for Les Bleus. 

That history gives France a psychological edge in this fixture, although the current Belgian side is operating under a new coach and already demonstrated its capabilities with the victory in Rome.

Here is our predicted outcome for this match. 

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The match kicks off at 9:45PM E.A.T at the King Baudoin Stadium 

Senne Lammens will start in goal for the hosts, with Maxim De Cuyper and Timothy Castagne retaining their places in defense. 

Youri Tielemans and Romeo Lavia will start in midfield, as well as veteran Kevin De Bruyne, who is a key component of the Red Devils starting XI. 

After scoring against Italy, Godts will start here as Belgian all-time record scorer Romelu Lukaku settling for a place on the bench. 

As for France, the absence of Mbappe will mean that Randal Kolo Muani will get a place in the French attack. 

Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele will also retain their starting places, with no other changes expected from the side. 

France have had the upper hand in recent meetings against their opponents, winning the last five meetings between the nations. 

Belgium’s most recent victory came in a 2015 friendly, while their last win over France in Brussels came much further back, in a 1981 World Cup qualifier.

Belgium – WLWWW

France – WLLWW

• Belgium 1-2 France (October 14, 2024)
• France 2-0 Belgium (September 9, 2024)
• France 1-0 Belgium (July 1, 2024)
• Belgium 2-3 France (October 7, 2021)
• France 1-0 Belgium (July 10, 2018)

France’s excellent recent record against Belgium makes them an interesting option in the 1X2 market, though Belgium are confident after the crucial opening win. 

Both sides kept clean sheets in their opening games and that could remain the case at least for one of them here. 

Prediction – Over 1.5 goals – PLACE YOUR BET ON THIS GAME HERE!