Preview: Belgium vs France – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Neighbors Belgium And France will meet for the second time in a month on the fourth matchday of the season UEFA Nations League on Monday evening.

France have recovered from a loss on Matchday 1 to win their last two games, while Belgium have slipped from first to third place since beating Israel on Matchday 1.

Game preview

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She experienced a real Jekyll and Hyde performance from Belgium Get a point from the Stadio Olimpico against Italy on Thursday evening and they will have been massively disappointed not to have come away with a win.

Domenico TedescoThe men were completely dominated in the first 30 minutes, trailing 2-0 and threatening to concede even more goals, but Lorenzo PellegriniThe rash challenge led to him being dismissed and changed the entire course of the game.

Belgium immediately got a goal back, thanks Maxim De Cuyper, Leandro Trossard The equalizer came after an hour and the Red Devils claimed they had to get a penalty and a red card Alessandro Bastoniafter he hacked Lois Openda down in the area just moments later.

Although Italy kept 10 players on the field and kept Belgium at bay for the remaining half hour, the draw leaves Tedesco's men in trouble good position after three gameseven if it could have been better.

Everyone has beaten Israel so far, and Belgium still have the two heavyweights to face each other at home, so they will feel like they have the upper hand despite currently sitting outside the top two.

These two neighbors are getting more and more used to the encounter, having competed against each other in France last month and in Germany over the summer.

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France won 2-0 in the second leg just over four weeks ago, and Les Bleus were also successful at the European Championships, with a very memorable 1-0 win in the round of 16.

Didier Deschamps always had a lead over Belgium in competitive games, as his French team also beat Belgium 3-2 in the 2021 Nations League semi-finals despite being 2-0 down and also beat the Red Devils in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.

As if that wasn't enough to give the French confidence for this short away game, it's the fact that they won 4-1 away against Israel in a completely dominant performance on Thursday.

In neutral Hungary, France were in complete control for 90 minutes as Israel equalized with their only shot of the game, and after going back in front four minutes later, two late goals added some well-deserved shine to the scoreline.

Deschamps needed a reaction from his team after the 3-1 home defeat to Italy on matchday one and he got it with two wins out of two and another here should almost guarantee a place in the top two considering they still on it. Face the Israel group's whipping boys at home.

Belgian Nations League form:

Belgium form (all competitions):

France Nations League form:

France form (all competitions):

Team news

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Romelu Lukaku was not called up again despite showing promising form in Naples. The striker claimed he needed to stay in Naples to continue building his fitness after missing much of pre-season.

The ongoing rift between manager Tedesco and Thibaut Courtois means that the Real Madrid goalkeeper would not have been called up, but he is currently out due to injury anyway Matz Sels also got out late with a knocker.

Kevin De Bruyne is the other notable absentee, that is Youri Tielemans is currently the only member of the 2018 World Cup squad still with the team.

It seemed like Tedesco was experimenting with a three-man defense system in the first half against Italy before the red card, and although they struggled, the lack of available options in midfield could see him start doing that again.

France is without one Kylian Mbappe after a recent setback by his club may have forced him back too soon and he has therefore withdrawn from this squad.

After they were eliminated following the 1-3 defeat against Italy, Antoine Griezmann He then announced his international retirement late last month, saying he didn't want to be part of the team unless he was a regular starter, despite being one of Deschamps' favorites.

N'Golo Kante was not called up after missing his club's final game in Saudi Arabia Adrien RabiotThe lack of playing time in Marseille also cost him his place.

After scoring from the bench on Thursday, both Bradley Barcola And Matteo Guendouzi could move into the team, especially if Deschamps decides to go back to three players in midfield after choosing a very attacking formation against Israel.

Belgium's possible starting lineup:
Casteels; Castagne, Debast, Faes, Theate, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Mangala; Trossard, Openda, documentary

Possible France starting lineup:
Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, T. Hernandez; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Guendouzi; Olise, Kolo Muani, Barcola

We say: Belgium – France 1:2

France haven't been particularly good in more demanding environments recently, with just six wins in 90 minutes in their last 14 games, but it should be just enough to beat a weakened Belgian side here.

Belgium failed to keep up in the 11v11 game against Italy and their 2-0 defeat in Lyon last month suggests they could struggle again here despite home advantage.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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