Belgium and France will be looking for some continental glory following their disappointing Euro 2020 campaigns when they lock horns at the Juventus stadium on Thursday for UEFA Nations League semi-final with kickoff at 21:45.
Belgium missed another shot at the elusive major tournament when Euro 2020 came begging as the world’s number one ranked nation fell to 2-1 to Italy in the quarter-finals after ending Portugal’s tittle defence in the round of 16.
However, the Red Devils responded well to their disappointment as they bounced back with three wins in a row in World Cup qualifying fixtures edging Estonia 2-5, Czech Republic 3-0 and Belarus 0-1. Therefore, Roberto Martinez’s side will head into the match in good form having only lost one watch in their last six and have just lost two in their last 31 matches across all competitions.
The Red Devils won five of their six League A Group 2 collecting 15 points and 16 goals to advance to the final four and will looking to keep their momentum as they aim for a continental silverware.
Meanwhile, France were also among the favorites to claim the continental glory during the entertaining Euro 2020 and after managing to make out of the group of death on top of the pile, Les Bleus were eliminated by Switzerland who shocked the footballing Landscape in the summer after coming 3-1 behind to with 4-5 on penalties.
Unlike their opponents Les Blues have still been struggling to stamp their authority on the continent after their Euro 2020 disappointment as they only have won one of their three September’s World Cup qualifiers as they were held to a pair of 1-1 draws by Bosnia-Herzegovina and Ukraine before they partly restored their form with a 2-0 win over Finland.
France head into the match in an average form having just won match of their last six matches across all completions but have just also lost one and drawn four in that run. Although, only being able to boast one victory from their last six games is concerning nonetheless and Les Blues may not be considered favorites to go all the way here.
Belgium vs France head to head
Both sides have met 12 encounters since 1938 with France taking the upper hand with five victories while Belgium have claimed three victories and they have ben four draws; take a look at their last five encounters.
- France 1-0 Belgium 10/07/18
- France 3-4 Belgium 07/06/15
- Belgium 0-0 France 14/08/13
- France 0-0 Belgium 16/11/11
- Belgium 0-2 France 18/02/04
Home
- Belarus 0-1 Belgium
- Belgium 3-0 Czech Republic
- Estonia 2-5 Belgium
- Belgium 1-2 Italy
- Belgium 1-0 Portugal
Away
- France 2-0 Finland
- Ukraine 1-1 France
- France 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina
- France 4-5 Switzerland (AP)
- Portugal 2-2 France
Belgium team news
Dries Mertens, Christian Benteke and Divock Origi were all dropped from the Belgium’s squad while Kevin De Bruyne will make his return after struggling with ankle problems.
France team news
France will without N’Golo Kante after testing positive for Coronavirus last month therefore Deschamps has a gig call to make in the middle alongside Paul Pogba.
Prediction and odds
- Belgium win
- Both sides to score
- Goals over 2.5
