France vs Belgium Prediction: Les Bleus to edge through to the quarter-finals
Neighbours France and Belgium collide in Dusseldorf for the round of 16 at Euro 2024 on Monday (17:00, ITV1/STV) with both sides having been underwhelming at the tournament so far.
Both will need vast improvements if they wish their summer adventures to continue and they will both feel as though they have a point to prove here. Below I have made my France vs Belgium prediction, featuring match odds and team news.
France vs Belgium Betting Tips
France are 10/11 to win this clash in 90 minutes, giving them an implied probability of 52.4%. Belgium are priced at 7/2, which gives them a theoretical chance of 22.2%. If you can see this tie needing extra-time then the draw is available at 23/10 (30.3%).
Both teams to score is marketed at 1/1 and over 2.5 goals is on offer at 5/4.
Team News
France superstar Kylian Mbappe was fit to start against Poland having broken his nose in their Euro 2024 opener, except he is playing the remainder of the tournament with a face mask. He also notched his first Euros goal from the penalty spot, so that will have given him a huge confidence boost.
Bradley Barcola was brought into the line-up for Antoine Griezmann last time out and the young winger showed flashes of class but is unlikely to have done enough to warrant keeping a spot in the team to face Belgium. Attackers Olivier Giroud and Marcus Thuram will be hoping to feature in attack, which could see Mbappe deployed out on the left, although Thuram can also play there.
French boss Didier Deschamps is likely to resist calls for a significant overhaul of his trusted system, meaning Adrien Rabiot should continue in the engine room.
Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco has struggled to find balance in his team thus far, with the attacking stars faltering. Out-of-form Romelu Lukaku could be deposed by Lois Openda up front. Sevilla winger Dodi Lukebakio is back from suspension and will contest with Leandro Trossard and Jeremy Doku for a spot out wide.
France and both teams to score - Yes @ 7/2
I do think this match is a tough one to call because neither side has been pulling up any trees in the last two weeks. France's recent experiences on the world stage, however, do make me think that they can suddenly flip a switch and come good at any moment. Deschamps will not have been happy with what he has seen so far and he will demand more from his squad now that there is no safety net.
They have been slightly better than Belgium but it isn't by much. Les Bleus do boast a much stronger squad than the Red Devils and I think this is where the difference will lie on Monday.
Mbappe scoring his first Euros goal, even if it was just from the penalty spot, will have given him great confidence, and he can inspire his team mates to victory here. I see France winning this tie in 90 minutes but I do see Belgium scoring. Their attackers haven't been great thus far but they still have the talent to cause the French back line some problems.
Over 2.5 goals @ 5/4
And with that I think over 2.5 goals is worth backing. We have yet to see a match in this tournament featuring these two sides that has seen at least three goals scored, but I think that can change here.
Both teams no longer have another group stage match to fall back on and they simply need to make sure they are at their best to progress to the quarter-finals. Sometimes it takes reaching the knockout stage for teams to find their rhythm and both France and Belgium desperately need to do so here as to avoid a premature exit.
With Mbappe opening his account, I think he will become a much greater threat in this match and it could have a knock-on effect on the players around him. I do see Belgium scoring but there is no one who stands out who I can see getting on the scoresheet for them.
France to win 2-1 @ 15/2
If I had to lay down my prediction, it would be for France to win 2-1 in 90 minutes. Their squad is stronger than Belgium's and sooner or later I think we are bound to see the France team that has been a terrifying force on the international stage in the past six years.
Belgium can somewhat give them a game if they are still a little rusty, but if anyone is going to show drastic improvements right away, I'd have to go with Les Bleus.
Betfred are running their famed Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven Pre-Match offer on this match, meaning that if a player scores first and then nets again, you will be paid at double the odds. If he grabs a hat-trick, you will be paid at treble the odds!
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You can read all our latest Euro 2024 Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.
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