Olivier Giroud (France - USA)
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
FRANCE  Mandanda Reveilliere, Abidal, Rami, Mathieu Menez, Cabaye, M'Vila, Ribery Remy, Benzema | BELGIUM  Courtois Vanden Borre, Vermaelen, Kompany, Vertonghen Defour, Fellaini, Witsel Hazard, Mirallas, Dembele |
Florent Malouda and Yohan Cabaye have recovered from knocks and came through a training session to ensure full fitness for Tuesday's encounter. The lack of a playmaker failed to ignite the partnership of Kevin Gameiro and Karim Benzema, with the former set to be dropped in favour of in-form Loic Remy.
Eric Abidal is set to take his place in defence after joining up with the squad following his Copa del Rey exploits with Barcelona, and without an experienced left-back, Jeremy Mathieu could again extend his run in the national side. Hugo Lloris could also be dropped in favour of Marseille's Steve Mandanda, with the latter arguably in better form as Blanc mulls his strongest side for next summer's Euro 2012.
Belgium, on the other hand, will be without Kevin De Bruyne after the midfielder contracted illness ahead of the trip to Paris. Arsenal's Thomas Vermaelen is in line for a return to the side after he sat out Friday's 2-1 win over Romania. Eden Hazard, who plies his trade in Ligue 1 with Lille, is set to take his place in attack, while 19 year old goalkeeper Thibault Courtois could also make his international debut at the Stade de France.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
France stretched their unbeaten run to 16 games after Loic Remy stepped up in the 72nd minute to edge Les Bleus past the USA.
- Barcelona's Eric Abidal is in line to win his 60th cap for his country - only Florent Malouda has more in the current squad.
- Laurent Koscielny, Jeremy Mathieu, Olivier Giroud and Maxime Gonalons all made their international debuts on Friday.
- Belgium beat Romania 2-1 in an international friendly in Liege last week.
- The Red Devils have only lost once in 13 internationals - to Germany last month. The defeat meant they missed out on Euro 2012.
- Georges Leekens' men won on their last visit to France, prevailing 2-1 in a 2002 World Cup warm-up game. Overall, their record against Les Bleus stands at four wins, four draws and eight defeats.
Prediction
Les Bleus are in the ascendancy in terms of progress made, but as recent performances suggest, there are still a few tweaks to be made. After Friday's rather turgid encounter agianst the USA, it looks as if Laurent Blanc will stick to and inject faith in the 4-4-2 system, one that his players aren't familiar with.
Expect the same type of game from the hosts, and despite Eden Hazard's obvious brilliance - a narrow win for the French.
Expect the same type of game from the hosts, and despite Eden Hazard's obvious brilliance - a narrow win for the French.
Editor's Prediction
France 1-0 Belgium 
