Zinedine Zidane hunts his first home win in charge of France as the UEFA Nations League (UNL) Group A1 leaders host Belgium at the Stade de France in Paris.
Match News and Current Form
Zidane’s first home game in charge of France rather fittingly came against Italy - the side he ended his playing career against - and disappointment followed him as his side let slip the lead in a 1-1 draw. Les Bleus remain on course for a third appearance in the UNL knockout stages in four editions regardless after making an unbeaten start to his tenure (W2, D1), an identical record to predecessor Didier Deschamps at this stage. Zidane will hope that trend stops here given that Deschamps lost his fourth game, and France’s seven-game unbeaten run in competitive home action (W5, D2) means they are well placed to avoid history repeating itself.
The only goal Belgium have conceded since the appointment of Mark van Bommel came in the reverse fixture defeat, with the Dutchman overseeing wins to nil against Italy (2-0) on matchday one and Turkey (3-0) on Friday night. A significant challenge awaits the Red Devils here, particularly as they’ll be without the core of their midfield, as they look to keep pace with the leaders and remain in knockout stage contention. Belgium needed a play-off to preserve their League A status in the previous cycle and last progressed beyond the group stage in 2020/21, but a seven-game unbeaten away run (W5, D2) indicates they’re capable of upsetting the odds here.
Head-to-Head History
France levelled the overall H2H stakes at 30 wins apiece (D19) with their 1-0 success in the reverse fixture which also marked their sixth straight win over Belgium. The Red Devils’ last competitive victory in this fixture came back in September 1981, though their most recent win over France came on this ground in a 2015 friendly (4-3).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Just one of France’s last seven matches produced over 2.5 goals.
Three of France’s last six UNL group games produced a red card.
Eleven of Belgium’s last 12 wins came by 2+ goal margins.
Belgium have taken fewer than 2.5 corners in three of their last four games.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Rayan Cherki has registered an assist in successive games for France, one of which came in the reverse fixture, while six of his last eight goals for club or country came before half-time. Romelu Lukaku took his record Belgium goal haul to 94 with a strike against Turkey which served as his 14th in as many UNL appearances, one of which came against France in a 3-2 defeat back in 2021.
Dayot Upamecano is absent for France through suspension after being sent off against Italy, while Belgium duo Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne are also banned after picking up yellow cards on matchday three.
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Betting Analysis
Belgium’s midfield absentees make France to win without conceding a much more attractive proposition.
Author: Ryan Fisher