Belgium will host France in a pivotal UEFA Nations League A Group A2 match at Koning Boudewijnstadion on October 15, 2024, at 00:15. This game is crucial as it could determine who secures second place and advances to the quarterfinals. The stakes are high, with the loser potentially facing relegation playoffs.
Belgium, currently third in the group with four points, are coming off a 2-2 draw against Italy. They benefited from a red card given to Italy’s captain. France, second with six points, recently thrashed Israel 4-1, showcasing their attacking prowess.
Despite injuries to key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Kylian Mbappé, both teams have b lineups. The weather is expected to be mild with a few clouds and a temperature of 8°C.
Given France’s recent dominance and b record against Belgium, they are the bookmaker’s favorite with odds of 2.36. Our match tips recommend betting on France to win.
This promises to be an exciting clash as both teams strive for a spot in the next phase under the watchful eyes of referee Irfan Peljto.
Belgium vs France Prediction & Betting tip
Our recommended betting tip for this encounter is to bet on France to win. Despite Belgium’s home ground advantage, France’s b record against Belgium and their recent 4-1 thrashing of Israel make them the favorites for this match. Here’s why:
| Belgium vs France Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| France to Win | 2.36 |
- France’s Recent Dominance: France has not only won the reverse fixture 2-0 but also holds a b head-to-head record against Belgium.
- Belgium’s Injury Concerns: Key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Jan Vertonghen are doubtful for Belgium, weakening their lineup.
- France’s High Scoring Average: With an impressive average of 2.60 goals scored in their last five games, France’s attacking prowess is evident.
Given these factors, betting on France to secure the win appears to be a sound choice.
Belgium vs France Odds
The bookmakers have set the odds with France as the favorite to win this UEFA Nations League A match. Here’s a quick look at the odds:
| Belgium vs France Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Belgium | 2.94 |
| Draw | 3.37 |
| France | 2.36 |
Looking at these odds, it’s clear that France is expected to come out on top, despite Belgium playing at home. The odds of a draw aren’t too far-fetched, reflecting the competitive nature of both teams. However, with their head-to-head record and recent form, France is the recommended bet.
Belgium vs France Live Streaming
- The UEFA Nations League live broadcast is present in India with the Sony Sports Network. The Live streaming of the matches is available on the SonyLiv website and app. Fans can watch Belgium vs France live streaming on SonyLiv at 12:15 AM on Tuesday.
Belgium Team Analysis
Belgium Recent Performance DLWLD
Belgium’s recent form has been a mixed bag, with their last five results showing two draws, two losses, and one win. They have managed only one clean sheet in these matches and have an average of just 1.00 goal scored per game, showcasing a need for more attacking prowess.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | Belgium | 2-2 (Draw) |
| France | Belgium | 2-0 (Loss) |
| Belgium | Israel | 3-1 (Win) |
| France | Belgium | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Ukraine | Belgium | 0-0 (Draw) |
Belgium’s defense has been somewhat shaky, conceding goals too easily. The lack of key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku has also been noticeable. Their recent 2-2 draw against Italy was largely influenced by the red card for Italy’s captain. If Belgium wants to win, they must tighten their defense and make the most of their scoring opportunities.
Belgium Key Players
Belgium will be missing some key star power with injuries to Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Amadou Onana. Despite this, players like Leandro Trossard and Jérémy Doku will need to step up. Trossard has shown his ability to score crucial goals, as evidenced by his equalizer against Italy. Doku, who has made a significant impact at Manchester City, will need to leverage his speed and agility to break past France’s robust defense led by William Saliba and Ibrahima Konaté.
Expected lineup for Belgium:
- Goalkeeper: Koen Casteels
- Defenders: Zeno Debast, Wout Faes, Arthur Theate, Maxim De Cuyper
- Midfielders: Youri Tielemans, Orel Mangala, Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere, Jérémy Doku
- Forward: Loïs Openda
Individual battles, such as Loïs Openda versus Konaté, will be crucial in dictating the game’s tempo.
Belgium Suspensions & Injuries
Belgium faces a tough challenge with several key players sidelined due to injuries. This could significantly impact their performance against France. Kevin De Bruyne, a pivotal playmaker, is out with a groin injury, while Romelu Lukaku is missing, leaving a gap in the forward line. Additionally, the absence of Amadou Onana and defensive stalwart Jan Vertonghen adds to their woes.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Arnaud Bodart | Knock injury | Doubtful |
| Jan Vertonghen | Achilles tendon injury | Late October 2024 |
| Alexis Saelemaekers | Ankle injury | Late October 2024 |
| Kevin De Bruyne | Groin injury | A few days |
| Julien Duranville | Thigh injury | Early November 2024 |
| Amadou Onana | Hamstring injury | A few weeks |
No suspensions affect the squad for this crucial clash. Nonetheless, Belgium’s depth will be tested, with Coach Domenico Tedesco needing to deploy creative tactics and rely on younger players to fill the void left by their stars.
Belgium Tactics and Formation
Belgium Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Loïs Openda
- Creative Midfield: Charles De Ketelaere, Leandro Trossard, Jérémy Doku Belgium is expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation under Coach Domenico Tedesco. This formation leverages their attacking midfield talents despite the absence of Kevin De Bruyne.
- Midfield Duo: Youri Tielemans and Orel Mangala will aim to control the central areas, providing defensive cover as well as transitioning play forward.
- Defensive Setup: With just one clean sheet in their last five games, the defense, led by Wout Faes and Arthur Theate, will need to be resolute to keep France at bay.
- Tactical Notable: Belgium has shown they can recover from tough situations, as demonstrated in their 2-2 draw with Italy after being two goals down. Expect them to be aggressive, especially in the final 30 minutes. The onus will be on their young talents to rise to the occasion, especially against a b French side.
France Team Analysis
France Recent Performance: WWLLW
France has had a mixed bag of results in recent outings, boasting a form of WWLLW. The team has managed to score an average of 2.60 goals per game, demonstrating their offensive prowess. However, their defense has also been suspect, keeping just one clean sheet in their last five matches.
Here’s a closer look at France’s last 5 results:
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Israel | France | 1-4 (Win) |
| France | Belgium | 2-0 (Win) |
| France | Italy | 1-3 (Loss) |
| Spain | France | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Portugal | France | 0-0 (Win on penalties) |
Their recent form indicates a tendency to perform well offensively but struggle defensively, a trend they’ll aim to correct in their clash against Belgium.
France Key Players
Expected lineup for France:
- Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
- Defenders: Jules Kounde, Ibrahima Konaté, William Saliba, Theo Hernandez
- Midfielders: Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Michael Olise
- Wingers: Christopher Nkunku, Ousmane Dembélé
- Forward: Randal Kolo Muani
France’s top scorer is Bradley Barcola, with 2 goals, but he will not be starting the game. Instead, much of the attacking burden will fall on Kolo Muani, who will look to capitalize on Belgium’s defensive vulnerabilities.
In midfield, the duo of Tchouameni and Camavinga will be crucial in maintaining possession and disrupting Belgium’s attacks. Maignan, as the last line of defense, will play a key role in keeping a clean sheet.
France Suspensions & Injuries
France come into this match with a few injury concerns but no suspensions. Key players missing due to injuries could impact the squad’s depth and tactical flexibility.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Boubacar Kamara | Knee injury | Late October 2024 |
| Lucas Hernandez | Cruciate ligament injury | Early January 2025 |
| Ngolo Kante | Muscle injury | Late October 2024 |
| Dayot Upamecano | Hamstring injury | Early November 2024 |
The absences of Kamara and Hernandez rob the team of defensive stability, while Kante’s muscle injury means that France loses a seasoned anchorman in midfield. Upamecano’s hamstring issue weakens the center-back options, forcing other squad members to step up in maintaining France’s defensive solidity.
France Tactics and Formation
France’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Randal Kolo Muani
- Midfield Duo: Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga
- Wingers: Christopher Nkunku (Right), Ousmane Dembélé (Left)
- Defensive Resilience: One clean sheet in the last five games
Didier Deschamps prefers a 4-2-3-1 setup, which balances defensive stability with offensive potency.
In this formation, Tchouameni and Camavinga anchor the midfield, providing both defensive cover and the ability to launch attacks swiftly.
Nkunku and Dembélé add pace and creativity on the flanks, crucial for breaking down Belgium’s defense.
Kolo Muani, as the lone striker, will aim to capitalize on the service provided by the attacking midfielders and wingers.
This formation allows France to exert control in the midfield while being a constant threat on the counter-attack.
Belgium vs France Head-to-Head Statistics
Belgium and France have faced off multiple times recently, with France holding a significant upper hand in their encounters. Here’s a breakdown of their last five meetings:
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| France | Belgium | 2-0 |
| France | Belgium | 1-0 |
| Belgium | France | 2-3 |
| France | Belgium | 1-0 |
| France | Belgium | 3-4 |
France has emerged victorious in four out of their last five matches against Belgium. Belgium’s only win came in a high-scoring 4-3 thriller. This record underlines France’s dominance in this fixture and suggests a tough challenge ahead for Belgium.
Venue and Weather
The match will be held at the iconic Koning Boudewijnstadion in Brussels, Belgium. Known for its electric atmosphere, the stadium boasts a seating capacity of around 50,093 and has been a fortress for the home team on numerous occasions.
As for the weather, attendees can expect a rather cool evening with temperatures hovering around 8°C. The air pressure is set at 1023 hPa, and humidity is relatively high at 87%. Wind speed will be minimal at approximately 0.81 m/s, with few clouds dotting the sky.
These conditions, particularly the cool temperature and high humidity, might compel both teams to focus on maintaining possession and minimizing errors. The weather could also lead to a slower-paced game, affecting player stamina and ball control.
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