France vs Belgium - World Cup 2018 Preview and Odds

Published on: 09/07/2018

France vs Belgium - World Cup 2018 Preview and Odds

July 10, 2018 19:00pm - Saint-Petersburg Stadium

World Cup Russia 2018 - Semi-final

In the first of this week`s World Cup semi-finals, neighbours France and Belgium will do battle for a place in Sunday`s final showdown. As the highest ranked teams left in the competition, many believe the winner of this game will go on to lift the trophy.

France last won the event on home soil back in 1998 and have slowly improved as this tournament had gone on. Their squad has been acclaimed as one of the best in the world but they haven`t always looked convincing on the pitch. However, they have done enough to reach the last four and have shown glimpses of their potential along the way.

In Friday`s quarter-final, they beat a highly-rated Uruguay side who were without star man Edinson Cavani. The game remained evenly poised until Raphael Varane scored the opener on 40 minutes. From that point on, the momentum swung France`s way and it came as no surprise when Griezmann added another on the hour mark.

Despite reaching the last four, the games against Australia, Peru and Denmark all raised question marks about Les Bleus` credentials as tournament winners. They rode their luck at times and have often looked out of sorts at the back.

Planning to stop France in their tracks are Belgium`s golden generation led by former Swansea, Wigan and Everton boss Roberto Martinez. The Red Devils have already equalled their best-ever World Cup performance by reaching the semi-finals for only the second time. They were eliminated by Argentina at this stage in 1986 and will look to go one better by disposing of the next highest-ranked team left in the tournament.

While France have been largely unimpressive, Belgium have looked the real deal, beating favourites Brazil in the last round and fighting back from 2-2 down against Japan in the Round of 16. They also won all three of their groups games including a 1-0 win over semi-finalists England.

France predicted starting XI:

Lloris, Pavard, Varane, Umtiti, Hernandez, Pogba, Kante, Matuidi, Griezmann, Mbappe, Giroud

Belgium predicted starting XI:

Courtois, Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen, Chadli, Carrasco, Witsel, Fellaini, De Bruyne, Hazard, Lukaku

Recent Form (All comps)

France: WWDWW

Belgium: WWWWW

Betting odds and tips

Both teams are full of attacking talent and often exposed at the back, so there could be goals on the agenda. This was highlighted in France`s seven-goal thriller against Argentina and Belgium`s 3-2 win over Japan. As a result, the Over 2.5 Goals bet looks like a sensible option.

Belgium have not lost since Roberto Martinez`s first match in charge and have serious momentum going into this game. The way they dealt with Brazil suggests that facing France will not phase them at all. And if they perform at the same level, they should progress.

You can back Over 2.5 Goals at 11/10 and Belgium to progress at 11/10.

By Neil Morris