France v Belgium: Zidane targets first home win as Nations League race tightens

Zinedine Zidane will seek his first home victory as France manager when his side face Belgium at the Stade de France on Monday in the Nations League.

France were held to a 1-1 draw by Italy on Friday, ending their run of three successive 1-0 wins and reducing their lead over Belgium to one point. The result also ended France’s sequence of four consecutive home victories in competitive matches.

France remain unbeaten since Zidane, the manager of the 1998 World Cup-winning side, replaced Didier Deschamps. They began his reign with a 1-0 win against Turkey before securing a more convincing victory in Belgium last month, but Italy exposed areas that still need improvement.

Gianluigi Donnarumma produced an outstanding display in Paris, denying France as they struggled to find a way through.

France have won the past six meetings between the sides, including their 1-0 victory in Brussels at the end of September. However, the overall head-to-head record is level, with both nations having recorded 30 victories.

Belgium manager Mark van Bommel will hope for a quick response after his side suffered a late defeat in the reverse fixture, when Michael Olise scored in the 88th minute. Belgium can take confidence from keeping clean sheets against both Italy and Turkey.

Kevin De Bruyne inspired Belgium in Liege on Friday as they beat Turkey 3-0. Vincenzo Montella’s side had 23 attempts to Belgium’s 17, with eight of Turkey’s 13 second-half efforts coming after Belgium had taken control of the match.

The victory, combined with France’s draw, gives Belgium the chance to move above them at the top of Group 1 in League A. It would also be their first win against France since June 2015.

France’s Nations League form is V V N, while their record in all competitions is V D D V V N. Belgium’s corresponding records are V D V and V V D V D V.

Team news

Dayot Upamecano is suspended after receiving his second booking against Italy. Maxence Lacroix of Chelsea is expected to replace him and partner Jeremy Jacquet, the same pairing used in the first meeting.

Kylian Mbappe remains unavailable after suffering a knee injury on matchday one against Turkey, but France still have significant attacking options. Olise scored a superb free-kick against Italy for his second Nations League goal of the season, accounting for 66.7% of France’s three goals in the competition. Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Rayan Cherki, Bradley Barcola and Maghnes Akliouche are also available.

Belgium will choose between Romelu Lukaku and Charles De Ketelaere in attack. PSG summer signing Mika Godts could face several of his club team-mates.

Van Bommel must manage the suspensions of De Bruyne and Youri Tielemans, who were both booked against Turkey. Their absences could lead to a start for Chelsea midfielder Romeo Lavia, with Hans Vanaken potentially joining Nicolas Raskin in midfield in a 4-2-3-1 system.

Probable France XI: Maignan; Kalulu, Jacquet, Lacroix, Truffert; Cherki, Da Cunha, Camavinga; Olise, Dembele, Doue.

Probable Belgium XI: Lammens; Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Lavia, Raskin; Lukebakio, Vanaken, Godts; De Ketelaere.

France are predicted to win 2-1, with that scoreline listed at odds of 7.75 on Betclic.