Euro 2024 - France vs Belgium: Team News and Prediction
With two quarter-final games confirmed, attention turns to the second half of the round-of-16 fixtures as France face Belgium this evening.
Ahead of this match, we run through the necessary pre-match information, including where to watch this last-16 game, what time it kicks off, team news and the key battle.
When is kick off?
Monday 1st July, 17:00 (BST)
Where is the match?
Düsseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf (Germany)
France vs Belgium Team News
Didier Deschamps has a full squad to select from for the last-16 meeting with Belgium. Antoine Griezmann should return to the side at the expense of Bradley Barcola, while Deschamps is reportedly considering using a 4-3-1-2 setup, which means Ousmane Dembele drops to the bench.
Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco is sweating on the fitness of Axel Witsel and Thomas Meunier ahead of the meeting with France. Dodi Lukebakio is back having served a ban and is likely to start on the right at the expense of the ineffective Leandro Trossard.
France vs Belgium Probable XIs
France (4312) - Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Kante, Rabiot; Griezmann; Thuram, Mbappe
Belgium (4231) - Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate; Tielemans, Onana; Lukebakio, De Bruyne, Doku; Lukaku
France vs Belgium Key Battle
N'Golo Kante has been a revelation in the France midfield following his stint away from the international stage. Indeed, the ball-winning machine comes into tonight's game having returned a WhoScored rating of 7.26; only Kylian Mbappe (7.56) has earned better of all France players. The 33-year-old will be expected to dominate proceedings once more in Dusseldorf.
That's because he'll be up against Kevin De Bruyne. While De Bruyne is yet to register an assist at Euro 2024, it's not for want of trying. The 33-year-old ranks third for key passes (11) and he has the ability to pry open any defence in the blink of an eye.
France vs Belgium Score Prediction: France 1-0 Belgium
