France and Belgium go meet for di fourth round of UEFA Nations League fixtures inside Saint-Denis on Monday. Les Bleus dey lead di standings for Group 1 of League A afta an unbeaten start to Zinédine Zidane reign.
Di 1–0 win over Türkiye for him dugout debut come before victory by di same scoreline against Belgium. But first home match for di manager then end in 1–1 draw with Italy. Red Devils dey just one point behind their rivals as new coach Mark van Bommel makes encouraging start on di touchline.
Di late loss to France was sandwiched between convincing triumphs over Italy and Türkiye. Those wins don regalvanize Belgians after a tumultuous World Cup campaign. This match na di 80th meeting between di sides, with their first clash dating all di way back to 1904. Slightly less drama dey projected than on that occasion, however, as di nations played out a thrilling 3–3 draw in Brussels.
France might have been reliant on Michael Olise to snatch them an 88th-minute victory in di reverse fixture, but its triumph could have been more convincing if not for a wasteful performance in di final third. Les Bleus produced more expected goals, shots and shots on target, as well as hitting di woodwork twice. They clearly di stronger of di two sides.
Main issue for di Red Devils na di absence of Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne, who are suspended for di upcoming clash. That leaves a gaping hole in di Belgium midfield and ensures chances go dey much harder to create. France don already keep two clean sheets this international break. Perhaps a third dey on its way against a weakened opponent.
Zidane go have to reshuffle him defense after Dayot Upamecano was sent off against Italy. Di center back now suspended for di Belgium match, meaning di impressive Jérémy Jacquet go likely be partnered by Maxence Lacroix. Pierre Kalulu don dey used ahead of Jules Koundé at right back during di last two matches, while Adrien Truffert appears set to keep him starting place on di other side of di defense. Eduardo Camavinga could come into di midfield for Lucas Da Cunha, but di same front three of Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and Olise appears primed to torment di Belgian backline. Of course, Kylian Mbappé remains sorely missed after picking up an injury in di opening match with Türkiye.
France predicted lineup vs. Belgium (4-3-3): Maignan; Kalulu, Jacquet, Lacroix, Truffert; Cherki, Camavinga, Rabiot; Olise, Dembélé, Doué.
As mentioned, Belgium go have to cope without both Tielemans and De Bruyne. De Bruyne was particularly effective against Türkiye, scoring twice before picking up a needless yellow card which means he’s suspended for di trip to France. Roméo Lavia likely to enter di team in their place, as should Nicolas Raskin. They go join Hans Vanaken in a three-man midfield. Van Bommel don use Charles De Ketelaere and Mika Godts in each of him three starting lineups, but there go be battle between Dodi Lukébakio and Diego Moreira for a place on di right-hand side of a front three. Lammens go continue in goal after Thibaut Courtois made himself unavailable for di Nations League despite not being injured, while Maxim De Cuyper should come back into di back four to join Timothy Castagne, Nathan Ngoy and Brandon Mechele.
Belgium predicted lineup vs. France (4-3-3): Lammens; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Raskin, Lavia, Vanaken; Lukébakio, De Ketelaere, Godts.
