The highly anticipated Euro 2024 Round of 16 clash between France and Belgium will take place on Monday, July 1st at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany.
These two European powerhouses, ranked 2nd and 3rd in the world respectively, will put their tournament hopes on the line as they battle for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Match Preview
France, the former World Cup champions, had a somewhat underwhelming group stage campaign, finishing second in Group D behind Austria.
Despite boasting a star-studded squad led by the likes of Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, and N’Golo Kanté, Les Bleus managed just two goals in their three matches, with their only goal from open play coming via a Mbappé penalty.
Belgium, often touted as the “Golden Generation”, also struggled to find their rhythm in the group stage, finishing runners-up in Group E behind Romania.
The Red Devils, led by the creative brilliance of Kevin De Bruyne and the goal-scoring prowess of Romelu Lukaku, were held to a shock defeat against Slovakia and a goalless draw with Ukraine.
France’s group stage performances were far from convincing, as they were held to a 0-0 draw by the Netherlands and 1-1 Poland, while managing a narrow 1-0 win over Austria.
Belgium, on the other hand, started their campaign with a surprise 1-0 loss to Slovakia, before bouncing back with a 2-0 win over Romania and a 0-0 draw against Ukraine.
Head-to-Head
France and Belgium have a rich history of encounters, with the former holding a slight edge.
In their last five meetings, France have won two times, while Belgium have emerged victorious once, with two draws.
The most recent clash was in the UEFA Nations League, where France emerged 3-2 winners.
Injury and Suspension
Both teams have relatively clean bills of health heading into this crucial encounter.
France’s Kylian Mbappé, who suffered a broken nose in the group stage, is expected to feature while wearing a protective mask.
Belgium’s Dodi Lukebakio, who missed the final group game due to suspension, is available for selection.
Prediction
This match-up promises to be a tightly contested affair between two teams determined to prove their worth on the European stage.
While both sides have struggled to find their attacking rhythm in the group stage, the sheer quality of players on display suggests that a moment of brilliance could decide the outcome.
Given France’s pedigree and the potential impact of Mbappé, they are slightly favored to edge past Belgium and secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
Betting Tips
Match Result: France to win (1-0)
Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Under 2.5 goals
Both Teams to Score: No
Handicap: France -0.5
The low-scoring nature of both teams’ group stage performances, coupled with the high-stakes nature of this knockout clash, suggests a tight, cagey affair.
France’s defensive solidity and the potential for Mbappé to produce a moment of magic make them the slight favorites to emerge victorious.
