France vs Belgium preview

June 6, 2015
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

France vs BelgiumEuro 2016 hosts France are set for another important test as they play host to very good Belgium side at Stade de France in Paris.

The Red Devils continued with excellent performances after the 2014 World Cup and they now hope to extend their unbeaten run to seven games.

France boss Didier Deschamps has got plenty of time to try and select the strongest possible squad to represent the country at the Euro 2016, with his charges obviously not taking part in the qualifiers.

The former Marseille coach seems to have found the backbone of the team and a large portion of the squad remains unchanged from previous gatherings, but Ligue 1 starlets Nabil Fekir and Paul-Georges Ntep has also played their way into his plans.

Les Bleus have done pretty well since the 2014 World Cup, winning five friendly matches, while sharing spoils with Albania and Serbia, and only losing to Brazil.

Didier Deschamps has again left out Marseille star Andre-Pierre Gignac, while Paul Pogba and Patrice Evra will not be facing Belgium as they are set to take part in the Champions League final.

France have been made 2.10 (11/10) favourites to win the high-profile friendly, but it is clear they will not have an easy job.

Deschamps will have nearly fully fit squad to choose from considering that Mathieu Valbuena recovered from a knee problem, but Steve Mandanda is doubtful.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Lloris – Jallet, Varane, Koscielny, Tremoulinas – Schneiderlin, Matuidi – Lacazette, Valbuena, Griezmann – Giroud.

Belgium have finally started realising their amazing potential and the team narrowly missed out on a place in the semi-finals at the 2014 World Cup.

The Red Devils have since done well to climb to the first place in their Euro 2016 qualifying group, but they will want to make another important step towards the finals by defeating Wales next Friday.

Having kept three clean sheets in a row, Belgium arrive at Stade de France in good spirits and they can be backed at 3.90 (29/10) to surprise the Euro 2016 hosts.

Key player Eden Hazard is expected to start despite only arriving from a tour of Australia on Thursday night, with the Chelsea star eager to help his side against France.

However, Kevin De Bruyne will not be risked as he battles an ankle problem, with the coaching staff eager to have him ready for the Wales clash.

There have been some bad news for coach Marc Wilmost as right-sided defender Thomas Meunier twisted his knee in training and he has since left the training camp.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Courtois – Alderweireld, Denayer, Lombaerts, Vertonghen – Fellaini, Witsel, Nainggolan – Chadli, Benteke, Hazard.

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