Belgium v France predictions: Les Bleus can advance to Nations League final

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Belgium v France in the Nations League semi-finals on Thursday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm Thursday

Best bet

France draw no bet
2pts 3-4 BoyleSports

Team news

Belgium
Dries Mertens (ankle) is close to a full recovery after coming off the bench for Napoli at the weekend but has been overlooked. Thomas Meunier (knee) has withdrawn from the squad.

France
N'Golo Kante (Covid-19) and Corentin Tolisso (calf) are unavailable.

Match preview

Belgium have been top of the Fifa rankings since September 2018 but they have consistently come up short in major tournaments and could bow out of the Nations League with a semi-final loss to France in Turin.

France were the last team before Belgium to reach the pinnacle of Fifa's pecking order - taking the position soon after their 2018 World Cup triumph which included a 1-0 semi-final success over the Red Devils.

The teams' paths have not crossed since then but plenty of old rivalries can be resumed because 14 of the players who started their meeting in Saint Petersburg (seven French and seven Belgian) have been selected for their Nations League squads.

Belgium's lofty ranking has been influenced by their consistency in qualification for various competitions and they have been strong in World Cup qualifying Group E – taking 16 points from six matches.

However, they were never convincing at Euro 2020 this summer and it was no great surprise when they succumbed 2-1 to Italy in their quarter-final in Munich.

Kevin De Bruyne's fitness struggles had a lot to do with their failure to go further and the 30-year-old's recent return to something close to peak form and fitness is a major boost for Roberto Martinez.

De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are capable of causing problems for any defence in the world but there is too much responsibility resting on their shoulders because the Belgians lack a top-class defence.

Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen have been fantastic servants for their country but both are past their peak and their lack of pace is an obvious area for France to exploit.

France can be frustrating due to their inability to take games by the scruff of the neck and they paid a heavy price when they were toppled by a workmanlike Switzerland in the round of 16 at Euro 2020.

However, when fully focused, Didier Deschamps's side are tough to break down and the offensive powers of Antoine Griezmann, Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe give them obvious match-winning potential.

Griezmann and Mbappe are at their most effective when afforded space to run in behind and it may suit them to be facing a Belgium side who rarely take a backward step.

The duo were instrumental in France's success at Russia 2018 and their talents afford France genuine hope of Nations League glory.

Key stat

France are undefeated in their last 14 matches.

Inside info

Belgium

Penalty taker Romelu Lukaku
Free-kick wizard Kevin De Bruyne
Set-piece aerial threat Jan Vertonghen
Card magnet Jan Vertonghen

France

Penalty taker Karim Benzema
Free-kick wizardAntoine Griezmann
Set-piece aerial threatRaphael Varane
Card magnetAurelien Tchouameni

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