France and Belgium renew their rivalry when they meet in a crucial UEFA Nations League clash at the Stade de France on Monday night.
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The League A Group 1 rivals are separated by just one point heading into Matchday 4, with France leading the section on seven points and Belgium sitting immediately behind them on six. Les Bleus won the reverse fixture 1-0 in Brussels just a week ago and will be looking to complete the double over their neighbours.
However, Belgium arrive in Paris with renewed confidence after an emphatic 3-0 victory over Turkiye on Friday, while Zinedine Zidane’s France were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy.
With control of Group A1 at stake, there is plenty riding on Monday night’s heavyweight encounter.
Betting Preview
France’s new era under Zidane has started positively from a results perspective.
Les Bleus began their Nations League campaign with consecutive 1-0 away victories over Turkiye and Belgium, before dropping their first points of the competition against Italy on Friday. Michael Olise opened the scoring with an excellent second-half strike, but Alessandro Bastoni capitalised on a defensive mistake to equalise and secure a 1-1 draw for the Azzurri.
France consequently enter Monday’s fixture unbeaten under Zidane and sitting top of Group A1 with seven points from a possible nine.
There is, however, significant team news for the hosts.
Kylian Mbappe remains unavailable after suffering a knee injury during the opening victory over Turkiye, depriving France of their captain and most dangerous goalscorer. Dayot Upamecano is also suspended after being sent off late against Italy, while Warren Zaire-Emery is unavailable through injury.
Fortunately for Zidane, France possess extraordinary attacking depth.
Reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele remains available, while Desire Doue, Rayan Cherki and particularly Michael Olise provide plenty of creativity around him.
Olise has emerged as one of the key players of Zidane’s early tenure. The Bayern Munich star has scored two of France’s three goals in this Nations League campaign, including the opener against Italy on Friday.
Belgium, meanwhile, responded superbly to their narrow defeat to France.
Mark van Bommel’s men had already made an excellent start by beating Italy 2-0 away from home, before France edged them 1-0 in Brussels. They bounced straight back on Friday by dispatching Turkiye 3-0, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring twice before Romelu Lukaku completed the victory.
The result took Belgium to six points and ensured Monday’s game effectively becomes a battle for top spot.
Victory would send the Red Devils above France.
Unfortunately for Van Bommel, his two most important midfielders will be missing.
De Bruyne and captain Youri Tielemans are both suspended, meaning Belgium must find a way to replace a huge amount of experience and creativity in the middle of the park.
That could prove decisive.
Belgium have attacking weapons in Lukaku, Charles De Ketelaere, Dodi Lukebakio and the exciting Mika Godts, but travelling to Paris without De Bruyne and Tielemans significantly weakens their ability to control possession and create chances.
France have absences of their own, but their superior depth should leave them better equipped to cope.
Recent Form & Stats
- France are unbeaten in the 2026/27 Nations League, taking seven points from their opening three matches.
- France have scored three goals and conceded just once in their opening three Nations League matches.
- Belgium have scored five goals and conceded only once across their first three games.
- France won the reverse fixture 1-0 in Brussels on 28 September.
- France have now won their last six meetings with Belgium, including the reverse fixture and their 2-0 Nations League victory in 2024.
- Belgium’s last competitive victory over France came all the way back in 1981.
- Michael Olise has scored two of France’s three Nations League goals this campaign.
- France’s three Nations League games have finished 1-0, 1-0 and 1-1, meaning all three have produced fewer than 2.5 goals.
- Belgium have kept clean sheets against both Italy and Turkiye, with France the only team to score against them in the competition so far.
Best Bets & Prediction
Prediction: France to win at 1.46.
Best Bet: France to win & under 3.5 total goals at 2.40.
Value Bet: Michael Olise to score anytime at 2.80.
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