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France vs Belgium Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

  • 18:00
  • Expired
  • Saint-Petersburg Stadium
France
Belgium

odds when tipped

odds when tipped

odds when tipped

odds when tipped

France vs Belgium Predictions

It’s been a month of almost non-stop football in Russia, but we finally enter the last week of action, with the climax coming in Moscow on Sunday as two teams contest for the grandest prize in football.

The first of two semi finals sees France, who last won the tournament on home soil in 1998, face off against a golden generation of Belgian players who are already guaranteed to equal their best ever World Cup performance. The last and only time Belgium made it to the semi-finals came in Mexico in 1986, where they were eliminated by Argentina before losing to none other than France in the 3rd place playoff.

Things have changed an awful lot in the 32 years since then. In fact, the majority of both teams’ starting lineup have been born, raised, and have progressed to the pinnacle of the sport. France possess one of the most potent attacking forces on the planet, but they face a Belgium side filled to the brim with their golden generation of talent.

It’s Belgium who have looked the better side so far this summer. They were poor in the second half of their quarter final against Brazil, but the first half saw them go 2-0 up against the footballing powerhouse. They showed real determination to come back from 2-0 down against Japan in the last 16, and won all three of their group stage clashes.

France deservedly beat an Uruguay side without Edinson Cavani on Friday, but in all honesty it could have gone either way, after a flurry of missed chances in the opening stages. Their 4-3 win against Argentina was a thrilling encounter, but once again highlighted some major potential issues in their back line. And while Belgium were at times scintillating in the group stages, France were lucky to beat Australia and Peru and played out a dreadfully dull draw against Denmark.

One thing we can expect is goals though. France’s seven goal thriller against Argentina highlighted Didier Deschamps’ glaring problem, and while they did keep a clean sheet against Uruguay, they could have conceded three or four if the South Americans had taken their chances.

Belgium are similarly troubled at the back, conceding five goals so far and seeing a total of 19 goals in their five matches so far. This makes a bet of Over 2.5 Goals look a great choice, but in the end we think Belgium will emerge triumphant. They have been very impressive so far and their counter attacking ability tore Brazil to shreds in the quarter finals. They have won seven matches on the bounce now and are unbeaten since Roberto Martinez’ first match in charge almost two years ago, so we’re also backing a Belgium Win and Both Teams to Score alongside a 2-1 correct score predictions.

Romelu Lukaku may have failed to find the net against Brazil, but he was undoubtedly one of the star players that evening. He dropped deeper to help his teammates out and his pace and power is likely to cause the France back line some serious problems. The Manchester United striker has scored four goals in his four World Cup games this tournament, so we’re backing him for our anytime goalscorer predictions.

France Predicted Lineup: Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Pogba, Kante, Matuidi, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud

Belgium Predicted Lineup: Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen, Chadli, Carrasco, Witsel, Fellaini, De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku

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