The Euro 2024 knockout stages kick off with a heavyweight encounter as France and Belgium renew their rivalry in Dusseldorf on Monday. Both sides finished second in their respective groups, leaving them with a mountain to climb if they want to reach the final, considering the likes of Portugal, Germany, and Spain lurk in the same half of the bracket.
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Underperforming Attackers Cast a Shadow
Despite boasting world-class talent like Kylian Mbappe and Romelu Lukaku, both France and Belgium have struggled to find their attacking rhythm. France scraped through Group D with just one goal, all from a penalty, while Belgium managed only two goals throughout the group stage.
This lack of cutting edge raises concerns for a high-scoring encounter. However, both defenses have been impressive. France conceded only once in the group stage, while Belgium showcased their resilience by keeping clean sheets in two of their matches.
Key Players and Team News
Mbappe finally got off the mark with a penalty against Poland, and his presence spearheading the French attack is a certainty. Antoine Griezmann is also expected to return to the starting lineup, potentially displacing either Adrien Rabiot or Ousmane Dembele.
For Belgium, Dodi Lukebakio is available again after serving a suspension, potentially replacing the underwhelming Leandro Trossard. Wout Faes is a guaranteed starter in defense, but a yellow card would see him miss the next game.
France (Possible Starting Lineup):
Maignan (GK), Kounde, Saliba, Upamecano, Hernandez, Kante, Tchouameni, Rabiot/Barcola, Griezmann, Thuram/Dembele, Mbappe
Belgium (Possible Starting Lineup):
Casteels (GK), Castagne, Faes, Vertonghen, Theate, Tielemans, Onana, Doku, De Bruyne, Carrasco, Lukaku
Prediction: A Tight Encounter with a Narrow Margin
While both teams possess firepower, their recent struggles suggest a low-scoring affair. France’s slight edge in defense, coupled with Mbappe’s potential to snatch a winner, makes them our narrow favorites with a predicted scoreline of 1-0.