The first of the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-finals take place on Tuesday when France takes on Belgium at St. Petersburg. The winner gets a trip to Moscow and play on football’s grandest stage at the finale of the 2018 FIFA World Cup against either England or Croatia, who play in the second semifinal matchup on Wednesday.
This match will be the 74th meeting between France and Belgium in all competitions. Belgium has won 30 times while France has been victorious on 24 occasions. The two sides figured in a draw 19 times.
This will also be the first competitive match between France and Belgium since they faced each other in the 1986 World Cup, where France won 4-2 in the third-place playoff. The only other time these countries met in a world cup was in 1938 and France also won that first round match-up 3-1. The last meeting between these France and Belgium was during a 2015 friendly in Paris. Belgium won that friendly 4-3.
Here’s a close look at the two teams:
France manager Didier Deschamps has a dilemma with his midfield trio as Blaise Matuidi returns from suspension. Corentin Tolisso filled the boots of the Juventus star in their match against Uruguay but Matuidi could start alongside Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante in this do or die semifinals match.
Roberto Martinez was forced to make a change on his defense after Thomas Meunier was suspended in their last game. Surprisingly, it was Nacer Chadli who replaced the Paris St. Germain man as the right wing-back during their final first-round game against England. But if Martinez decides to go with a 4-3-3 like he did against Brazil, then Toby Alderweireld might suit up at right-back while Thomas Vermaelen could start at center-back.
As of June 9, 2018, Online oddsmaker Bovada has France as the favorite here at +150 while Belgium came back as the underdog at +200 with a draw pegged at +225. Likewise, France is now the betting favorite to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup at +200. When the 23 team tournament began, France was a +650 and it was Brazil and Germany who were on top of the oddsboards. But now that both favorites are out, France is the team to beat among the four nations left in the competition.
The French side started the tournament with an unimpressive 2-1 win over Australia and followed it up with an anything-but-stellar victory over Peru. They rounded up group play with a predictable 0-0 draw against Denmark and after that, there were plenty of questions around Didier Deschamps’ boys.
But the French showcased its attacking potential during their thrilling 4-3 triumph over Argentina. Les Bleus then took advantage of the absence of Edinson Cavani as they blanked Uruguay 2-0 to advance to the semifinals. Didier Deschamps has done a masterful job of blending youth and experience so far. Now he will have to weave his magic again, this time against their European neighbors.
The one thing that Belgium has excelled in the 2018 FIFA World Cup is in scoring goals. Through five matches, the Belgians have scored a total of 14 goals including five against Tunisia. Romelu Lukaku has led the Belgian offensive onslaught with a total of four goals scored in five matches.
At two points behind Harry Kane, Lukaku is currently a +1000 to win the Golden Boot as the World Cup’s top goal scorer. Lukaku has been very valuable for the Belgians, whether it’s in scoring goals, his hold-up plays or creating deceptions like what they did against Japan.
Belgium is on a torrid streak as they have not lost in their last 24 matches. The last time the Red Devils lost was on September 1, 2016, when they dropped a 2-0 match to Spain. Since then, they have won 18 matches and drawn 6 across all competitions. The impressive 2-1 upset of Brazil in the 2018 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals was their most recent win.
Belgium football is said to be in its golden generations with the likes of Lukaku, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne are amongst the highest paid players in the world and are playing at the highest level of European football. Yet despite these world caliber footballers, Belgium’s trophy case is lacking hardware.
Reaching the semifinals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup certainly proves how good this Belgian side is. They are without doubt among the elites in the planet and their place in the final four is well justified. The come from behind win over Japan showed their poise and character. The victory over Brazil was their coming out party.
This team has depth in all positions. Things are clicking for Belgium and pieces are falling into their proper places. Roberto Martinez has done wonders with all the talent at the palm of his hands. France better be ready with their A-Game, else the Red Devils might just pull off a surprise.
Much has been said about Belgium’s offensive prowess at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. But this tournament isn’t just where the Red Devils offensive machine has flourished. Belgium has scored four or more goals in 9 of their matches during their 24 games unbeaten streak. However, if you think they are just all offense, think again.
Belgium has allowed just five total goals in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. They have also limited their opposition to just four or fewer shots on target in four of the five matches they have played so far in the tournament. But the Red Devils are going to face a French attack which has scored in each of their last six shots on target, including all of their four goals during their quarterfinals win over Argentina.
Les Bleus has a 7-2-0 record across all competitions heading into their semifinals match and is 3-0-0 against Belgium in their last 3 international tournaments, the last of which was as we said earlier, the 4-2 win in the 1986 World Cup that earned them a third-place finish.
You’ve got to like the Red Devils undefeated streak and the plus value on them. But it’s hard to bet against France. Not against their talent, the way they are playing and history on their side. If you ask me about a safe bet in this match, it could be betting for the OVER. According to Bovada (As of July 9th), the total for this match is 2.5 with the over at +110 and the under at -130. Given the caliber of both squads, feel safe to bet on the over. But if I were to pick a side anyway, we’re picking France to defeat Belgium and advance to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final.
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