France vs Belgium Predictions, Picks & Odds – 05/10/2026
France vs Belgium – Best bets of the match
France vs Belgium Preview
France approach this fixture in encouraging form, having won three of their last five matches. Zinedine Zidane's tenure began with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Turkey, a result that underlined defensive solidity if not attacking fluency. The absence of Kylian Mbappé, nursing a knee hyperextension sustained in that very match, is a significant blow. Zidane will need to reorganise his forward line, though Les Bleus possess considerable depth across attacking positions.
Belgium arrive with genuine momentum under Mark van Bommel, whose appointment has already yielded impressive results. Four of their last five outings have produced positive outcomes, including a statement 2-0 away victory against Italy to open their Nations League campaign. That performance in particular signalled renewed ambition from the Red Devils, who combined defensive discipline with clinical finishing. Van Bommel's side will, however, be wary of a dreadful recent record against France, having lost five consecutive meetings.
France hold a commanding head-to-head advantage over Belgium, having won five of their last six competitive meetings. That record includes knockout victories at the 2018 World Cup and the 2021 Nations League semi-final, fixtures where Les Bleus demonstrated a clear psychological edge over the Red Devils in high-stakes encounters.
The absence of Kylian Mbappé through a knee hyperextension is significant, yet Zinedine Zidane's squad proved they can grind out results without him, securing a 1-0 win against Turkey. Belgium's impressive 2-0 victory over Italy under Mark van Bommel signals renewed ambition, but their away form remains inconsistent with a draw and a defeat in their last five.
A double chance on the home side or draw offers the strongest value here, effectively backed by the home win price at 1.46. France's fortress mentality in this rivalry, combined with Belgium's historical struggles in this fixture, tilts the balance firmly. Even without their captain, Les Bleus possess sufficient quality and tactical structure to avoid defeat on home soil.
Trends to Know about France vs Belgium
- France won five of six meetings
- Belgium unbeaten in four recent matches
- Mbappé absent through knee injury
Form & Statistics: France vs Belgium
France
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Belgium
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Lineups: France vs Belgium
France
Starters
- 1 Senne Lammens
- 2 Timothy Castagne
- 3 Nathan Ngoy
- 4 Brandon Mechele
- 5 Maxim De Cuyper
- 6 Youri Tielemans
- 7 Nicolas Raskin
- 8 Dodi Lukébakio
- 9 Kevin De Bruyne
- 10 Malick Fofana
- 11 Charles De Ketelaere
Bench
- Romelu Lukaku
- Romeo Lavia
- Mika Godts
- Arthur Theate
- Koni De Winter
Absent
- Leandro Trossard (Heel injury, expected back mid-October 2026.)
- Thibaut Courtois (Absent by agreement/injury issues.)
- Jérémy Doku (Injury.)
Belgium
Starters
- 1 Mike Maignan
- 2 Jules Koundé
- 3 Dayot Upamecano
- 4 Maxence Lacroix
- 5 Adrien Truffert
- 6 Manu Koné
- 7 Adrien Rabiot
- 8 Rayan Cherki
- 9 Michael Olise
- 10 Ousmane Dembélé
- 11 Désiré Doué
Bench
- Eduardo Camavinga
- Bradley Barcola
- Lucas Hernández
- Axel Disasi
- Alphonse Areola
Absent
- Kylian Mbappé (Knee hyperextension (posterior capsule of left knee), suffered September 25, 2026. Expected to miss 10-12 days.)
- Mattéo Guendouzi (Suspension.)
- Warren Zaïre-Emery (Injury.)
- Konate (Sprain, left training camp.)
Medium confidence
A 4-2-3-1 against a 4-3-3 shapes up as the tactical contest here, with Belgium looking to control the midfield through Kevin De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans, whilst France's three-pronged attack, anchored by Ousmane Dembélé and Michael Olise, will look to exploit the channels at pace.
Both sets of lineups carry strong credibility across multiple outlets, so there is little uncertainty over personnel. The key battle may well be in the wider areas, where Belgium's De Cuyper and Castagne must contain a French front line with the quality and directness to punish any defensive disorganisation.
How to Watch France vs Belgium Match?
What time is France vs Belgium?
France vs Belgium kicks off at 19:45 BST on Monday 5 October 2026.
Where is France vs Belgium being played?
The venue for France vs Belgium is yet to be confirmed by UEFA.
How Can I Watch France vs Belgium on TV and Live Stream?
Broadcast details for France vs Belgium will be confirmed closer to kickoff by UEFA and local rights holders.
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