France vs Belgium: Preview, lineups and predictions (EURO2024 Round of 16)

*Odds are subject to change

Both France and Belgium were favourites to top their respective Euro 2024 groups. Their punishment for not managing this is a very challenging round-of-16 clash. One of these fine sides thus faces a relatively early exit from the competition.

France had been the bookies’ favourites towards the end of the group stages. But they slipped down to fourth in the pecking order following the knockout stage draw. Although they have not been at their best. They will take comfort from the fact that neither have Belgium.

The Red Devils were handed a relatively ‘easy’ group this tournament. Unfortunately, they finished with just four points and a chorus of boos from their own fans. A win here would no doubt get the fans back on board. Should their neighbours prevail, however, it would cap off a fairly dismal first international tournament for Domenico Tedesco.

• Location: Düsseldorf
• Stadium: Düsseldorf Arena (Merkur Spiel-Arena)
• Date: 1 July 2024
• Kick-off Time: 18:00 CEST (17:00 BST)
• Referee: Glenn Nyberg
• VAR: Pol van Boekel

France Team News

Didier Deschamps looks set to have the entire French squad at his disposal, as they have no suspensions nor any injuries severe enough to keep a player sidelined. Kylian Mbappe is available for selection, but he will be wearing a protective face mask again as his nose remains broken. The now-Real Madrid man is struggling with this facial accessory, however, due to a reduction in his peripheral vision and also issues with sweating. There is little doubt he will play in this match, but whether he can perform at his best in a mask is another question.

Belgium Team News

Three men were missing for Belgium in their underwhelming 0-0 draw with Ukraine. One of these was Sevilla’s Dodi Lukebakio, who is back in contention after serving his one-match ban for collecting two yellow cards. The other two absentees were Axel Witsel and Thomas Meunier, both of whom have yet to play a single minute in this tournament. Meunier is at least with the squad now, having arrived 10 days after the tournament began, and could be an option for Tedesco. Witsel remains a more major doubt, though, with his groin problem proving more troublesome than first thought.

France vs Belgium H2H Record and Key Numbers

Despite their much smaller size and lack of international trophies, Belgium have the superior head-to-head record in this fixture with 30 wins compared to France’s 26. It has been 40 years since they last met in the European Championship though, a match in which France battered their neighbours 5-0, the joint-heaviest loss in the tournament’s history.

It is attack rather than defence that has been the concern for both these countries in this tournament. Both have only hit the back of the net twice and even more concerningly for France, one was an own goal and the other a penalty. Les Bleus will take confidence knowing they are at least creating chances though as they finished the group stages with the second-highest xG (5.88) of all nations.

Possible Lineups

• France (4-4-1-1): Maignan – Koundé, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernández – Dembélé, Kanté, Tchouameni, Rabiot – Griezmann – Mbappé
• Belgium (4-3-3): Casteels – Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate – Tielemans, Onana, De Bruyne – Doku, Lukaku, Lukebakio

Where to Watch France vs Belgium Euro 2024 – TV and Online Live Streaming

In France, the game will be aired on TF1 and beIN Sports. Across the border in Belgium, it will be available on La Une (RTBF). UK viewers can watch the action live on ITV1 or STV.

My Prediction

The struggles both teams have had in front of goal during Euro 2024 suggest this is unlikely to be a thriller. I predict a low-scoring game, but one the French are likely to edge. Looking at the stats, both countries have similar defensive records, but Les Bleus had the much tougher group. France scored a 1-0 win in this fixture during the 2018 World Cup, and I can see the same scoreline occurring again.

More France vs Belgium predictions are available on our tips page for this game.