Key battle Stats France Raphael Varane 25.8 Average age 28 v Romelu Lukaku 1.83m Average height 1.87m After scoring four times in two 9 Goals scored 14 v games in the group stage, the goals have dried up for Lukaku in the 56 Total attempts 85 knockout phase. Although Roberto 19 Attempts on target 33 Belgium Martinez must be pleased with his contributions in other areas, there 4 Goals conceded 5 must be concern that his main man 2,431 Passes attempted 2,559 is not hitting the target. In-form 84% Passing accuracy 86% Varane, who is equally adept on the ground and in the air, will be keeping 509km Distance covered 527km a tight rein on Lukaku, especially hs surging runs from deep like the one against Brazil which set up Kevin de Bruyne’s goal. Team news France Belgium Djibril Sidibe is a doubt Thomas Meunier is for France, but he is their suspended for Belgium only injury concern. Blaise after he received his Matuidi returns from second yellow card in suspension and could the 2-1 win over Brazil. replace Corentin Tolisso Yannick Carrasco is likely on the left ank. to be his replacement. Head-to-head Played : 73 France wins: 24 Belgium wins: 30 Draws: 19 Last meeting: France 3 Belgium 4 (International friendly, June 2015) Pundits’ Pick Laurent Blanc: Marcel Desailly: France can emulate Class of ’98 Belgium’s condence sky-high Yes. I said it! Everyone I meet on the They just eliminated the tournament street says that we’re going to win favourites, a good Brazil team, which the World Cup. It was only two or is another big plus for the Belgians. three months ago no one believed it Their condence will be sky high. was possible. France have shown They have been tested and found they’re capable, but the hardest part the resources, found the answers. starts now (against Belgium). That is why I make them slight favourites for the semi-nals. Possible line-ups: France: 4-2-3-1 Belgium: 3-4-3 Chadli Hernandez Vertonghen Matuidi Hazard Pogba Witsel Umtiti Giroud Kompany Courtois Lloris Lukaku Kante Griezmann Fellaini Varane Alderweireld de Bruyne Mbappe Carrasco Pavard PHOTOS: AFP STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS.