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After much delay, the UEFA Nations League is finally set to return tonight.
Euro 2020 champions Italy host the final phase of the competition which begins with their clash with Spain in the first semi-final.
Tomorrow, Belgium take on France in another clash of heavyweights at the Juventus Stadium in Turin.
The sides haven't seen each other in a while. But their performances at the recent European championships have put them both under pressure to make amends here.
The Red Devils lost to eventual winners Italy in the quarter-finals, prolonging their international title-drought. Meanwhile, Les Blues were shockingly ousted in the last-16 by Switzerland.
Can either of these sides go all the way in the Nations League? Ahead of their mouth-watering encounter, we'll look at five predictions:
#5 Belgium to take the lead first
The last time France and Belgium faced each other was in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup which the former won 1-0. A repeat, though, seems unlikely.
The Les Blues are not the same force they were back then and have struggled more often than not this year. The Red Devils, who boast a similarly formidable attacking vanguard, can open them up.
Belgium will have their eyes firmly on the prize and will look to end their long-wait for an international trophy. They might come flying out of the blocks, catching France off-guard.
The front-three of Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne might be too hot to handle.
#4 Kylian Mbappe to struggle
All's not going well for Kylian Mbappe since his penalty miss against Switzerland at Euro 2020 which knocked France out.
The 22-year-old hasn't scored for Les Blues in six games. Meanwhile, his ongoing transfer rumors involving Real Madrid have affected his form with Paris Saint-Germain too.
Having started the 2021-22 season brightly, Mbappe soon went off the boil and has now failed to fire in their last four games.
In the loss to Rennes on Saturday, especially, the forward misfired badly, wasting chance after chance.
Hailed as France's Golden Boy after their World Cup victory, Mbappe is currently going through a rough patch both on and off the field.
His situation is hardly conducive to a good performance on a big night like this.
#3 Griezmann to bag France's only goal
France boasts an enviable arsenal packed to the rafters with world-class talent. But their attacking frontline hasn't clicked much lately, relying on individual moments of quality to see them through.
One player who has consistently shone for them is Antoine Greizmann, who's made it a habit to score for Les Blues regardless of his club form.
He netted just once at Euro 2020 but has recaptured his mojo since their ill-fated sojourn with three goals in four qualifying games in September.
Each of them has been really critical to France's fortunes too. Griezmann's strike secured a draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina. He then bagged both of their goals in the 2-0 win over Finland.
Although his form with Atletico Madrid since returning to the club in the summer has been abysmal, the 30-year-old continues to deliver on the international stage.
Our bet is he'll score for the world champions tonight as well, although Belgium's stoic defense means that might be their only goal of the match.
#2 Hazard and De Bruyne to shine
Belgium are blessed to have two of the biggest playmaking wizards in their squad.
Eden Hazard's form has declined since joining Real Madrid in 2018. But he was a reckoning force in his prime and continues to remain valuable to the Red Devils.
He played a key role in Belgium's group victory over Denmark at Euro 2020 by assisting Kevin De Bruyne with a fine crossfield pass. It also highlighted their partnership.
De Bruyne, who's made 40 assists and scored 22 times in 84 games for Belgium, is their most vital cog. He's key to breaking down opposition defenses and dictating attacking plays.
Together, these players have worked wonders before, and might as well do their trick once more tonight against the world champions and knock them out.
#1 Belgium to beat France
Some of you may have already predicted this, but given the sheer amount of quality in their ranks, France are still the favorites in some quarters.
The pressure of being world champions is hard enough, but can they really go all the way and atone for their disappointing Euro 2020 campaign? Doesn't seem likely.
Cracks had appeared in France's ranks long before the Euros, and their form since their shocking exit from the competition will hardly inspire confidence.
This bunch simply lacks the grace and elegance with which they took the world by storm in Russia a few years ago.
Les Blues defeated the Red Devils 1-0 en route to becoming the world champions but the sides have taken a contrasting trajectory since then.
Roberto Martinez's troops, although missing in some key players upfront, should comfortably prevail here.
