Belgium v France betting tips: Martinez seeks final berth before Barcelona role
Preview and odds for Thursday’s Nations League clash
The Nations League is down to the final-four stage and the second semi-final takes place on Thursday so we have looked at the odds for some Belgium v France betting tips.
Portugal beat the Netherlands two years ago in the inaugural Nations League final, but there will be a new name on the trophy this time.
Thursday’s match, which takes place at the Juventus Stadium, Turin, is live on Sky Sports and kicks off at 7.45pm.
Belgium v France match odds
Belgium will be out to avenge their 2018 World Cup semi-final defeat and they are 15/8 to beat France and set up a clash against the winners of the Italy v Spain semi-final.
Both Belgium and France had somewhat disappointing Euro 2020 campaigns, even though losing to eventual champions Italy – as Belgium did in the quarter-final – is a little more forgivable than failing to beat Switzerland as the reigning world champion.
Belgium’s start to World Cup qualifying has been better and they have won all three qualifiers since the Euros – against Estonia, Czech Republic and Belarus – scoring eight and conceding just two.
France, who are 27/20 to win, have a slightly tougher qualifying group, yet the fact remains they failed to beat Ukraine and Bosnia-Herzegovina since the Euros, although they did beat Finland 2-0.
Belgium v France head-to-head
A second-half strike from Samuel Umtiti was enough for France to beat Belgium in the World Cup semi-finals in St Petersburg in their last meeting. That was Belgium’s first defeat in 25 games.
Belgium subsequently went on a 17-game run before beaten by England in the Nations League, then were unbeaten in 12 before their Euro 2020 exit.
They have only managed to beat France twice in the last 12 meetings, however (L6 D4).
Two of the last three clashes ended in goalless draws and it is 2/1 for a stalemate in 90 minutes this time in the Belgium v France betting tips.
Six of the last eight clashes saw one or other fail to score and it is 17/20 that one or other fails to register a goal.
Belgium v France team news
Kevin De Bruyne missed the recent World Cup qualifiers due to injury, but the Manchester City midfielder is in Roberto Martinez’s squad.
Martinez called up 24 players, including stalwarts Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard, although injured Dries Mertens and Jeremy Doku are not included.
France coach Didier Deschamps has called up four players based in Serie A, including Milan stars Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez. Also involved are Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot and Roma midfielder Jordan Veretout, but there is no place for Olivier Giroud.
Belgium v France key battles
This promises to be a fascinating battle between plenty of star names.
World Cup winners Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann are joined by Karim Benzema and Martial in the attacking ranks for France, while Romelu Lukaku, Hazard and De Bruyne will hope to give former Wigan and Everton manager Martinez the gift of a spot in a final before, in all probability, he takes up the reins at Barcelona.
Mbappe is 2/1 to score the first goal, while Lukaku is 13/8 in the same market in the Belgium v France betting tips.
View the latest Nations League odds
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
