France vs Belgium Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips: Bradley Barcola backed to continue stunning form

France do battle with Belgium in a high-profile Nations League match at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais on Monday 9th September (7.45pm).

France vs Belgium Preview

France's pursuit of a second Nations League trophy suffered an early setback in a surprise 3-1 defeat at home to Italy on Friday. Despite taking a 12-second lead through Bradley Barcola, the hosts conceded three goals for the first time since the 2022 World Cup final, leaving them bottom of League A Group 2 after the opening wave of matches.

Les Bleus are three points adrift of Monday's opponents Belgium, who opened their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Israel - behind closed doors - thanks to a Kevin de Bruyne brace.

France and Belgium will now lock horns for the second time in just over two months after they met in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024. On that occasion, France emerged victorious thanks to a late own goal from Belgium defender Jan Vertonghen.

France are 4/5 to bounce back with a win, Belgium can be backed at 17/5 to make it six points from two games, while a draw can be found at 13/5.

What a start to the season Bradley Barcola is having.

Any concerns over who would step up for PSG following Kylian Mbappe's mega move to Real Madrid have been rapidly extinguished. Barcola has raced out of the traps for PSG, netting four goals in three Ligue 1 games against Le Havre, Montpellier, and Lille.

He then backed this up with a goal against Italy after all of 12 seconds - France's quickest goal ever - pouncing on a moment of hesitation from Giovanni Di Lorenzo before he raced through and slotted home.

So, with five goals in four games so far this season, he stands out at 29/10 to find the back of the net against Belgium. We can expect a real reaction from the hosts following the manner of Friday's shock defeat with the in-form Barcola likely to cause the Belgium backline a whole host of problems with his trickery, pace, and eye for goal.

Man of the moment Bradley Barcola also features in our 4/1 Bet Builder with BetMGM.

I'm after Barcola to have at least one shot on target, which he's done in all four matches this season.

Belgium's Kevin de Bruyne will also be tasked with firing in a shot on goal. The midfielder bagged a brace against Israel in a game in which he had five shots, including three on target. 

De Bruyne has shown plenty of goalscoring intent for Man City this season, letting off 12 shots in three games, half of which came in the 3-1 defeat of West Ham prior to the international break, while he found the back of the net in the 6-1 demolition of Ipswich.

I've also added both teams to score into the betting pot following a return of eight goals combined in their opening Nations League games last week. There is an abundance of attacking talent on display which is sure to make for an entertaining and exciting game in Lyon.