Two local rivals can both go into this game with a degree of confidence. The visitors from France beat Israel 4-1 in Budapest despite the absence of Kylian Mbappe last time out while Belgium, to their credit, managed to secure a 2-2 draw in Italy despite going two down in the first half. After disappointing performances from both sides at Euro 2024 in the summer, they could do with building on these results.
It was, in fact, France who knocked Belgium out of the Euros after a game low on quality was decided by a Jan Vertonghen own goal at the death. Belgium will no doubt be seeking revenge for that as well as the defeat in this competition last month. On that occasion, France bounced back from a shock 3-1 home defeat to Italy in their UEFA Nations League opener with a comfortable 2-0 win that afforded Mbappe a rest.
This Nations League group is well poised with Italy on top of the table with seven points followed by France with six then Belgium in third with four. Given their close proximity, these sides have met many times over the years. Perhaps less predictably, the results have seen a very even split with 28 France wins, 30 Belgium victories and 19 draws. It seems staggering that the Belgians just about have the edge historically but France were perennial underachievers until 1998 other than a sole Euros triumph in 1984. For Belgium, the wait for a major trophy goes on. In more recent years, it’s a different story with France winning the last four games between the sides, a run that stretches back to the 2018 World Cup.
Belgium are without Amadou Onana, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne and, in even better news for the French, Christopher Nkunku marked his long-awaited return to the national side with his first international goal last time out. If the Chelsea forward can build on his display against Israel then Didier Deschamps could have another hugely significant weapon in his arsenal and would no doubt gladly take a bit of pressure off Mbappe’s shoulders.
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Belgium vs France odds
Odds from BetFair and updated as of 5 a.m. BST Monday.
- Belgium win: 2/1 (+200)
- Draw: 12/5 (+240)
- France win: 11/8 (+138)
Venue: King Baudouin Stadium — Brussels
Time: 7:45 p.m. BST (2:45 p.m. ET), Monday
Form guide (all competitions)
Belgium: D-L-W-L-D
France: W-W-L-L-W
Match prediction
Belgium 1-2 France
This could be a tight one with both sides needing a win at this particular juncture and a couple of managers under scrutiny. France were impressive against Israel and will look to build on that display with another positive result here so let’s go with a 2-1 away win that leaves Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco with serious questions to answer.
(Photo of Jules Kounde: David Balogh / Getty Images)
