Belgium host France in the standout Nations League Group A1 tie on Monday (7.45pm), both sides having won their openers, with control of the group on the line in Brussels and both new managers taking charge of only their second game.
Anthony Eadson’s Belgium vs France predictions, best bets and score prediction are below.
Premium Tips
Anthony Eadson backs Kevin De Bruyne to make his mark in a tight contest.
| Premium Tip | Odds | Why we’re backing it |
|---|---|---|
| Kevin De Bruyne to score or assist | 6/5 (bet365) | Kevin De Bruyne set up Mika Godts’ opener in Belgium’s 2-0 win in Rome on Friday and had three shots before coming off after 58 minutes. He has 82 goals and assists in 114 caps for Belgium, scored twice at the World Cup and has had two or more shots in each of his last seven matches. Belgium have scored 15 goals in their last five games, and with Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard injured, even more of their creativity runs through the 35-year-old. France are also without William Saliba and Ibrahima Konate at the back, and bet365’s 6/5 is a strong price for Belgium’s talisman to be involved. |
| The draw | 3/1 (Betfred) | France have won the last five meetings, but they arrive without Kylian Mbappe, who scored their winner in Turkey before injuring his knee, as well as Saliba, Konate and Aurelien Tchouameni. Even with Mbappe on the pitch, France managed only four shots on target in Izmit. Belgium are unbeaten in their last eight competitive home games and have won four of their last five at home. Both sides are on three points with new managers still settling in, so a draw at Betfred’s 3/1 looks a generous price in Brussels. |
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How Belgium go into the game
Belgium opened with a 2-0 win at Italy through Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio, with Kevin De Bruyne setting up the first goal before being withdrawn after 58 minutes.
Mark van Bommel is without the injured Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard, while Thibaut Courtois sits out this window by agreement. Belgium have still won four of their last five home games and are unbeaten in their last eight competitive games on home soil.
How France go into the game
France won 1-0 in Turkey through Kylian Mbappe, but he injured his knee in scoring and is out, along with Ibrahima Konate, William Saliba and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Zinedine Zidane will reshuffle, with Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise leading a still-dangerous attack. Olise has had a shot on target in all eight of his club and country appearances this season.
Belgium vs France head-to-head
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14/10/24 | Belgium | 1-2 | France |
| 09/09/24 | France | 2-0 | Belgium |
| 01/07/24 | France | 1-0 | Belgium |
| 07/10/21 | Belgium | 2-3 | France |
| 10/07/18 | France | 1-0 | Belgium |
France have won the last five meetings, including the 2018 World Cup semi-final and 1-0 in the last 16 at Euro 2024, although both teams scored in only two of those games. Belgium’s last competitive win over them came in 1981, while their most recent victory of any kind was a 4-3 friendly win in Saint-Denis in 2015.
Belgium vs France predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin De Bruyne to score or assist | 6/5 (bet365) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Set up a goal in Rome on Friday. |
| The draw | 3/1 (Betfred) | ⭐⭐ | France without Mbappe, Saliba and Konate. |
| Ousmane Dembele to score anytime | 6/5 (Paddy Power) | ⭐⭐ | France’s main threat with Mbappe out. |
Belgium vs France score prediction
France have owned this fixture but arrive without Mbappe, Konate and Saliba, while Belgium impressed in Rome. With little between them, a score draw looks a fair result in Brussels. Score prediction: Belgium 1-1 France.
