France will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the UEFA Nations League when they host Belgium at the Stade de France on Monday night. Under new manager Zinedine Zidane, Les Bleus have made a strong start, with successive 1-0 victories over Türkiye and Belgium before drawing 1-1 with Italy in their most recent outing. This impressive run has seen them take the top spot in Group A1.
France's attacking threat has been bolstered by the emergence of Michael Olise, who scored the winner against Belgium in Brussels and found the net again against Italy. However, France will be without several important players for the return fixture, including defender Dayot Upamecano, who is suspended after receiving a late red card against Italy. Zidane is likely to pair Maxence Lacroix with Jérémy Jacquet in central defence in his absence.
Captain Kylian Mbappé also remains sidelined while recovering from a left knee injury sustained against Türkiye, meaning Ousmane Dembélé is expected to wear the armband again. Zidane has indicated that he intends to rotate his squad to manage fatigue, potentially opening the door for Eduardo Camavinga and Rayan Cherki to feature from the start. Olise is expected to remain one of France's main attacking outlets as the hosts seek another victory over Belgium.
Belgium arrive in Paris determined to avenge their narrow defeat to France and keep their Nations League campaign on course. The Red Devils have won two of their three matches, opening with a 2-0 away victory over Italy before losing 1-0 to France at home. They responded strongly by defeating Türkiye 3-0, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring twice and Romelu Lukaku also getting on the scoresheet.
However, Belgium face their own selection problems, with De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans both suspended after accumulating yellow cards. Their absence is likely to force manager Mark van Bommel into a midfield reshuffle, with Chelsea midfielder Roméo Lavia expected to partner Nicolas Raskin. There is better news in attack, with Lukaku available to lead the line and Charles De Ketelaere expected to operate in an advanced playmaking role.
The match promises to be another closely fought contest between two European heavyweights, with France seeking to preserve their unbeaten record and extend their advantage at the summit of Group A1. Belgium, on the other hand, will be determined to return the favour and leave Saint-Denis with three valuable points. The encounter is expected to be a highly competitive and intense match.
With both teams missing key players, the match will likely be a test of depth and resilience for both sides. France and Belgium have a long history of rivalry, and Monday's encounter is expected to add another chapter to their storied history. The outcome will have significant implications for the Group A1 standings and the teams' prospects in the UEFA Nations League.
Key points
- France will be without defender Dayot Upamecano and captain Kylian Mbappé due to suspension and injury.
- Belgium will be without Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans due to suspension.
- The match promises to be a closely fought contest between two European heavyweights, with significant implications for the Group A1 standings.
