Prediction: Hungary vs England

Verdict: England win & Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to open their UEFA Nations League adventure with a flurry on foreign soil, England will make the trip to the Puskas Arena on Saturday evening when they meet Hungary.

Hungary

Starting with the hosts, while Hungary might have eventually fallen three points adrift of booking their World Cup play-off ticket last year, the Magyars are enjoying a recent boost. Last seen back on March 29th when picking up a 1-0 victory away at Northern Ireland in a friendly contest, Head Coach Marco Rossi has seen his side lose just one of their last five matchups across all formats. However, while UEFA might have made the late call to call to allow 30,000 fans at the Puskas Arena on Saturday evening, the Reds will know that they face a huge task here. Despite shocking many as they picked up a gritty 1-1 draw away at Wembley on World Cup qualifying duties back in October, they do hold a sluggish record against the European giants. Including a thumping 4-0 defeat when they welcomed England to Budapest last year, Rossi’s men have failed to win any of their last nine straight meetings against this weekend’s guests.

Team News

Looking to pick up his 81st international cap for Hungary on Saturday evening, Adam Szalai will lead out his side here.

RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai should take up his usual role in Rossi’s midfield.

England

As for the visitors, while England might have been left heartbroken at Wembley last summer, the Three Lions have certainly bounced back in some style. Last seen back on March 29th when picking up a routine 3-0 romp against the Ivory Coast on home soil, Gareth Southgate’s men are tipped as a real standout pick out in Qatar later in the year. Storming their way to the World Cup finals and with it looking like the mood in their camp is at a real high, the European giants are also in the midst of a nine-match unbeaten run. With their recent purple patch stemming all the way back to that heartbreaking defeat against Italy 11 months ago, Southgate’s side will be looking to keep their momentum here. Once again electing a star-studded squad on Saturday, England have also gained a reputation for their continued success in the final third. Including a routine 10-0 romp away at whipping boys San Marino when signing off 2021, England have bagged 20 goals in their last five victories.

Team News

Continuing to impress with Europa League semi-finalists West Ham this season, former Hull forward Jarrod Bowen could make his England debut here.

Likewise, lifting this year’s Serie A title with AC Milan, ex-Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori will be hoping to feature on Saturday evening.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Saturday’s opponents faced off at Wembley on October 12th, they played out a 1-1 draw.
• However, Hungary have failed to win any of their last nine straight meetings against the Three Lions.
• England are unbeaten in their last nine matchups across all formats, a run that stems back to their European Championship final defeat against Italy.
• Hungary have won three of their last four matchups across all formats, a run highlighted by victories against Northern Ireland and Poland.
• England have bagged a staggering 20 goals in their last five victories.

Conclusion

While Hungary might have managed to snatch a 1-1 draw when they made the trip to Wembley back in October, there is no doubt that Saturday’s hosts face a huge task here. Despite showing some recent improvements over recent months, the Magyars couldn’t have asked for a tougher test when they open their Nations League campaign. With England showing no signs of feeling sorry for themselves after last year’s heartbreaking defeat against Italy on home soil, Southgate’s men are in the midst of a real purple patch. Winning each of their last five matchups across all formats and bagging 20 goals in doing so, it is hard to see anything other than an away victory for the Three Lions.

Verdict: England win & Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Unibet