Brussels plays host to the Flemish derby on Monday night as France take on Belgium in the Nations League.

These two sides are hunting down Italy at the top of Group A2, with Belgium picking up a draw against the Azzurri on Thursday night after Luciano Spalletti’s side were reduced to ten men.

The Red Devils have picked up four points from their opening three group games and could do with a rare victory over France on Monday to stand a chance of claiming top spot and advancing into next year’s finals.

Les Bleus edged a drab encounter with their upcoming opponents in the last 16 at Euro 2024, and they eased past Domenico Tedesco’s side at the start of their current Nations League campaign. They’ve won their previous four games against Belgium, last losing to their neighbours in 2015.

The 2018 World Cup winners enter Monday’s game having thrashed Israel 4-1 on Thursday night.

Here’s 90min’s preview of the Nations League clash in Brussels.

Belgium vs France H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

There are several notable absentees from Domenico Tedesco’s squad, including Kevin De Bruyne, who is nursing a pelvic injury sustained in Manchester City’s stalemate with Inter last month.

Romelu Lukaku also hasn’t been called up despite his impressive start to the 2024/25 campaign, while the injured Thibaut Courtois remains unavailable for selection.

Matz Sels has pulled out of the squad with a knock, so Koen Casteels is expected to start on Monday night and Tedesco should retain the back three we saw against Italy on Thursday.

Belgium predicted lineup vs France (3-4-3): Casteels; Debast, Faes, Theate; Castagne, Tielemans, Mangala, De Cuyper; Trossard, Openda, Doku.

Antoine Griezmann had been a regular under Didier Deschamps, but the Atletico Madrid star announced his retirement from the international scene before France’s October fixtures.

The visitors are also without Kylian Mbappe, who wasn’t called up to the squad despite rushing back from a minor injury before the break. Randal Kolo Muani could lead France’s line on Monday, with Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola joining him in the frontline.

There could be a start for Matteo Guendouzi in the middle of the park alongside Madrid tandem Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga.

France predicted lineup vs Belgium (4-3-3): Maignan; Kounde, Konate, Saliba, Hernandez; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Guendouzi; Olise, Kolo Muani, Barcola.

Belgium are drifting away from their golden generation, but the absence of their stars will hinder them on Monday night – even if France are without Griezmann and Mbappe.

The Red Devils were comfortably second best in Italy on Thursday before the hosts were reduced to ten, with Tedesco yet to find an optimal formula with this set of players.

We shouldn’t expect thrills and spills with Deschamps around, but the visitors should ease to three points.

Prediction: Belgium 0-2 France

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