The clash between France and Belgium promises to be a real cracker as both sides battle for top spot in the group. After three matches France sit pretty on seven points while the Red Devils have six, and the recent meeting in Brussels ended with a narrow 1-0 win for the visitors. Under Zinedine Zidane the French have stayed unbeaten with two wins and a draw, yet fans are still waiting for the attack to click properly and put more than one goal past tough opponents.
Team Form
France have shown plenty of class in midfield and defence but the forwards have been a bit quiet despite having world-class options available. Without their captain and main striker Kylian Mbappe the goals have been hard to come by, though Michael Olise has been on fire, scoring or assisting in every game so far. Belgium on the other hand have looked sharp under Mark van Bommel, picking up wins against Italy and Turkey, but they still struggle to break down this French side that has won every official meeting since 2018.
- France: 7 points from 3 games, 1 goal per match average
- Belgium: 6 points from 3 games, strong at home but poor record vs France
- Head to head: France won all 6 meetings since 2018
Tactical Analysis
France rely on a solid backline and quick transitions, making it hard for any team to find space. Belgium have the quality to cause problems on the counter but have not managed to score against the French wall in recent years. The absence of Mbappe gives other attackers like Olise more room to shine, while Belgium will need to be clinical if they want to end their long losing run. Both teams have strong squads full of talent that can turn the game in a moment.
Looking at the strengths, France boast depth in every position and a coach who knows how to grind out results. Belgium have pace on the wings and set-piece threats but often lack the final pass when it matters most against top defences. Weaknesses for France include a lack of cutting edge up front, while Belgium can be caught out when pushing forward too early.
Betting Proposal
After weighing up the team news and recent meetings, the smart money is on Belgium to keep the scoreline close on the road. Belgium not to lose by more than one goal at odds of 1.95 looks the value types for this one. The French attack may still find it tough to break them down again, so a small margin win or draw for the visitors is well worth considering.
