Belgium-France Betting Preview: Why the hosts should be backed to defeat Deschamps' side

Marc Wilmots' side are aiming to maintain their impressive home record and our tipster is backing them to get the better of Didier Deschamps' men in Brussels on Wednesday

Belgium will be hoping to maintain their current run of fine form when they take on France in an international friendly match in Brussels on Wednesday evening.

Marc Wilmots’ side have won seven of their last eight fixtures and are chalked up at 5/4 (2.25) with Coral to claim victory over France here.

Didier Deschamps’ side have won just two of their last eight fixtures and will be looking for a morale boosting victory against their rivals on Wednesday evening. A win for the visitors is chalked up at 7/4 (2.75) with Coral while the same firm go 11/5 (3.20) that the match ends in stalemate.

Belgium seem likely to participate in their first World Cup since 2002 as they currently top qualifying Group A and, having gone 14 matches unbeaten on home soil, Marc Wilmot’s side will certainly go into Wednesday’s match full of confidence.

After a spell in the footballing wilderness, Belgium are considered by many as dark horses to triumph at next year’s World Cup in Brazil and there is little doubt that Wilmots has an impressive array of attacking talent at his disposal.

Aston Villa’s Christian Benteke and Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku, who was on loan at West Bromwich Albion last season, scored an impressive 36 goals between them in the English Premier League last term and they are likely to spearhead Belgium’s attack against France.

Benteke is chalked up at 11/2 (6.50) with Coral to break the deadlock on Wednesday while Lukaku is also available at 11/2 (6.50) with the same firm to open the scoring in Brussels.

France, though, also offer a potent attacking threat with Franck Ribery, Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema all likely to feature prominently for Didier Deschamps’ side.

Benzema, who scored 20 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid last term, is available at 6/1 (7.0) to break the deadlock with Arsenal’s Giroud also chalked up at 6/1 (7.0) with the same firm to score first. Ribery is available at an appealing 8/1 (9.0) with Coral to net the opening goal on Wednesday.

Given that both sides are loaded with attacking talent, the 13/10 (2.30) quote from Coral for at least three goals to be scored on Wednesday is appealing while the even money (2.0) on offer from the same firm for both teams to score is sure to prove popular with punters.

However, given the home side's recent results it's worth taking a chance on Marc Wilmots’ side to stamp their authority with another victory on home soil and the 5/4 (2.25) quote from Coral for Belgium to beat France in Brussels is the main recommended bet.

Romelu Lukaku has been in fine form in pre-season for Chelsea and, those seeking to back bigger prices should take a chance on the juicy 11/2 (6.50) quote from Coral for the 20-year-old to break the deadlock on Wednesday.