France will entertain Belgium in an international friendly that will have a derby-like atmosphere. But it's not just a clash between neighbouring countries, it's also a meeting of two highly regarded European Football powers.Goal.com notes how Belgium has been second in the global rankings, while France is currently ninth. The same report also references quotes from longtime Belgium defender Daniel van Buyten, given to Perform.The former Bayern Munich man describes the tension that can exist in these matches: "It's a bit of a derby. It's a country close to us, sometimes they tease us, and we tease them."Here are all the schedule and viewing details ahead of this intriguing match:Date:Sunday, June 7Time: 8 p.m. GMT / 3 p.m. ETLive Stream: beINSports CONNECT.PreviewOne of the main issues an otherwise supremely talented French squad has is finding the right player for the base of midfield. Manager Didier Deschamps loves to favour a progressive 4-3-3.French Football writer and BeIN Sports commentator Matt Spiro discusses how Deschamps is still trying to find the right mix. Spiro offers two Premier League stalwarts as options:Spiro's reference to Arsenal man Francis Coquelin is particularly interesting. The 23-year-old was a breakout star for the Gunners this season.Coquelin returned from a loan spell at Championship side Charlton Athletic to finally give manager Arsene Wenger's squad what it's been lacking: a true, defensive-minded holding player.Coquelin took to the role with relish. His tackling has been fierce yet perfectly timed. More importantly, Coquelin has displayed the discipline to maintain his position at the base of Arsenal's midfield and in front of the back four.That discipline, along with a knack for reading the game and anticipating the flow of play often positions Coquelin to play as a de facto sweeper.Michael Cox of the Gunners' official site detailed how Coquelin showed these qualities during Arsenal's 4-0 FA Cup final win over Aston Villa: "Statistically, the key to Coquelins performance was the number of recoveries he made. His tackling and intercepting also featured (two each), but 11 recoveries was an extremely high figure, something youll rarely see in a top-level game."Spiro believes Coquelin's performance against Villa has to have put him in Deschamps' thoughts:It was Morgan Schneiderlin and Geoffrey Kondogbia who got the nod in France's last match, a clash with Denmark, per Sky Sports. Perhaps Deschamps' tougher choice will be organising his forward line from a sudden embarrassment of riches.Attackers such as Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann and Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette have both enjoyed breakout campaigns this season. The former struck 25 goals for the La Liga side, according to WhoScored.com. Meanwhile, the same site details how Lacazette scored 31 times.Moving forward, Deschamps now has to find a way to fit players like these alongside centre-forwards Olivier Giroud and Karim Benzema. The desire to pair two natural No. 9's together has often led to Deschamps shifting Benzema out wide. But the emergence of others might mean one of the target men has to be content with a place on the bench.B/R French football analyst Jonathan Johnson identifies Rennes winger Paul-Georges Ntep as a potential first-time full international to watch. The 22-year-old certainly has the pace to stretch a normally stubborn Belgian defence:A key man at the back for Marc Wilmots' team will be Toby Alderweireld. He thrived during a season on loan at Premier league side Southampton.Now the 26-year-old will have a key role to play in the absence of veteran centre-back Vincent Kompany. But Alderweireld and a patchwork defence will be helped by Belgium's ample brawn in midfield.Marouane Fellaini and Axel Witsel are a particularly imposing pair. While Fellaini's prowess in the air is well known, Witsel's creative instincts are often overlooked.He's the brain and the engine at the heart of Zenit St. Petersburg's stellar midfield. Witsel won't find it easy to boss the middle against France, but if he gets space, he could make a decisive contribution.Witsel running free is a crucial factor in creating chances for a potentially spectacular front three. Wide forwards Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne can create a host of chances, while towering target man Christian Benteke can be ruthless in front of goal when he's at his best.Prediction:France 2-1 BelgiumBelgium don't always play the kind of expansive, free-flowing game their attacking talent demands. Wilmots' team may struggle to stay solid against a France side with plenty of guile and flair going forward.
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