LONDON, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Euro zone bond yields fell

slightly on Monday after climbing the previous week, as

investors looked ahead to an expected interest rate cut from the

European Central Bank on Thursday.

Germany's 10-year bond yield, the benchmark for

the euro zone bloc, fell 1 basis point to 2.26%.

France's 10-year yield also fell by around 1 bp,

moving in line with the rest of the market even after ratings

agency Fitch revised France's outlook to "negative" from

"stable" on Friday, citing increases in fiscal policy and

political risks.

U.S. bond markets were closed on Monday and the economic

data calendar was sparse, leaving investors looking towards the

ECB meeting on Thursday, where the central bank is expected to

cut rates by 25 bps to 3.25%.

Italy's 10-year yield was lower by 2 bps at

3.548%, and the gap between Italian and German yields

stood at 128 bps.

Germany's two-year bond yield, which is more

sensitive to ECB rate expectations, was down 3 bps at 2.232%.