Prediction: Ireland vs Hungary

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to make a pre-Euro 24 statement of intent on Tuesday night, Hungary will travel to Dublin when they meet Ireland.

Ireland

Starting with the hosts, enduring what was a Euro 24 qualifying nightmare last year, Ireland are simply desperate to find some kind of stability. Appointing one-time Manchester United defender John O’Shea on a temporary basis back in February, the Greens are dealing with a string of public issues. Collecting just six points from any of their Group B appearances and coming under hefty scrutiny, they have also secured just a single victory from any of their previous eight matchups across all competitions. Last seen during March’s international break putting in another toothless display as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home against Switzerland, O’Shea will have a mounting headache over his side’s extended struggles in the final third. Drawing a line under their qualifying nightmare with another 1-0 loss against Holland last year, Ireland have scored just a single goal in over 360 minutes of action.

Team News

Not making a single appearance for Brighton since the end of March, attacking talisman Evan Ferguson has not been included in Ireland’s squad. However, while Enda Stevens might have been forced to miss out during March’s international break, the Stoke City defender has been recalled by O’Shea and should feature on Tuesday night.

Enjoying what was a record-breaking flurry with Blackburn last season and storming his way to the Championship Golden Boot, Sammie Szmodics should be handed the chance to spearhead Ireland’s attack. Securing an automatic Premier League return with Southampton last week, Will Smallbone has also been included in O’Shea’s 26-man squad.

Hungary

As for the visitors, storming their way to this summer’s European Championships and making a real statement, Hungary have continued to receive a string of praise from across the continent. Remarkably picking up 18 points from their eight qualifying appearances last year and breezing their way to top spot in Group G ahead of Serbia, Marco Rossi’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high heading into their trip to Germany later in the month. Last seen putting in another professional performance as they secured a routine 2-0 victory at home against Kosovo, the Tricolours are unbeaten in all of their previous 14 straight matchups across all competitions – a purple patch that stems all the way back to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Italy way back in September 2022. Likewise, suffering just a single defeat on their travels over the past three years, Rossi’s camp should be relishing a trip to Dublin here.

Team News

Enjoying what has been an impressive maiden campaign with Premier League giants Liverpool, influential skipper Dominik Szoboszlai will lead Hungary out in Dublin on Tuesday night. Likewise, making 28 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth last season, 20-year-old defender Milos Kerkez should earn a 15th international cap here.

Completing a move to Sunderland during January’s transfer window, former Barnsley midfielder Callum Styles has once again been included in Rossi’s squad. Helping RB Leipzig secure another Bundesliga top-four finish last season, veteran shot-stopper Peter Gulacsi will start between the stick in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Ireland and Hungary last met for a friendly showdown in June 2021, Tuesday’s opponents played out a 0-0 stalemate in Budapest.
• The Tricolours are unbeaten in all of their previous 14 straight appearances across all formats – a run that stems all the way back to September 2022.
• Likewise, Hungary have suffered just a single defeat on their travels over the past three years.
• Ireland have recorded just a sole victory from any of their previous eight matchups across all competitions.
• The Greens have recorded just a single strike in over 360 minutes of action.

Conclusion

Storming their way to this summer’s European Championships and riding what has been a major wave of momentum, Hungary should be excited by a trip to Dublin on Tuesday night. Remarkably not suffering a single defeat from any of their previous 14 straight appearances across all competitions, Rossi’s high-flying squad will be smelling a potential opportunity here. While Ireland might have snatched a 0-0 stalemate when they travelled to Budapest back in June 2021, the Greens should be bracing themselves for a tricky test here.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet