Preview: Hungary vs. Netherlands – prediction, team news, lineups

After two high-scoring games in September, the The Netherlands have a lot to offer in terms of entertainment when they go to Budapest on Friday UEFA Nations League collide with Hungary.

The Dutch occupy second place in League A Group 3 after the first round, while their winless visitors are in last place after taking just one point from the first two games.

Match example

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Ollie Watkins can still haunt the dreams Ronald Koeman and co, but the Netherlands responded to their crushing European Championship 2024 semi-final exit to England in the best possible way, hitting past hapless Bosnia-Herzegovina five times in their opening match of the 2024-2025 Nations League.

A heavyweight battle with Germany followed, where Tiijani Reijnders’ opener in the second minute was preceded by goals from Deniz Undav And Joshua KimmichBut Denzel Dumfries saved the bacon of the Netherlands in a fascinating way 2-2 stalemate.

While the Netherlands and Germany are evenly matched in terms of the general classification and mutual points, the Dutch team’s lower goal difference means that they currently have to settle for second place in group 3although that would still be enough to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Defeated semi-finalists in the 2022-2023 edition, after finishing second to Portugal in the first league match of 2018-2019, the Netherlands have long since secured another slice of international success as it marks 36 years since their first and only major tournament victory at Euro 1988.

A great Nations League record will stand the Dutch in good stead this week as after failing to win any of their first five tournament matches on the road, they have prevailed in each of their last four and scored multiple goals each time.

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Hungary, former occupants of League C during the first edition of the Nations League, now embark on their second consecutive campaign of top-flight football after managing to retain their League A status in the 2022-2023 edition.

That standout performance came in the wake of a commendable Euro 2020 campaign, which saw the Magyars hold out in the ‘Group of Death’, but defeats to Germany and Switzerland meant their 2024 run was just as short-lived despite a last victory over Scotland.

After scoring just twice in the three Euro 2024 matches, Hungary are still finding their shooting boots in the Nations League. First it was defeated 5-0 by Germany in the opening match of September, after which it only drew goalless against Bosnia-Herzegovina on matchday two.

While the Bosnians actually managed to find the back of the net last month, Hungary currently hold the League A Group 3 table in last place, which would mean automatic relegation to level two for the next cycle.

However, Marco Rossi‘s men have strung together a fantastic run of home results – nine wins and two draws from their last eleven games – a crumb of consolation as they prepare to face a side they lost 8-1 to in their last encounter in a World Cup match in 2013. Cup qualification.

Format of the Hungarian Nations League:

Hungary form (all competitions):

Form of the Dutch Nations League:

Dutch form (all competitions):

Team news

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A large number of the players involved in last month’s matches are not available for the Netherlands this time, including the defenders of Arsenal and Manchester City Jurriën Hout And Nathan Akewhile Juventus’ Teun Koopmeiners withdrew after the squad was named.

During Monday’s press conference, Koeman emphasized that Liverpool rocks Virgil van Dijk and speed demon Tottenham Hotspur Micky van de Ven are more than capable of starting together, but he hasn’t had the chance to pair them up yet.

However, that central duo could finally make an appearance on Friday, with that of Manchester United Matthijs de Ligt It may make way after a number of error-strewn performances for the Red Devils.

Meanwhile, Hungary boss Rossi has called up another collection of recognizable names for October’s matches, apart from the RB Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi is not one of them, as the 34-year-old personally decided not to represent his country this time.

Gulacsi’s absence has led to a call-up for the uncapped shot-stopper from Blackburn Rovers Balazs Tothbut Ferencvaros’ Denes Dibusz will undoubtedly put on the gloves on Friday, where Captain Dominik Szoboszlai will compete against some of his Liverpool teammates.

Toth is one of two Championship players hoping to make their senior debut in Hungary on Friday; 23 year old Plymouth Argyle defender Kornel Szucs is the other.

Possible starting line-up for Hungary:
Dibusz; Botka, Dardai, Orbán; Bolla, A. Nagy, Schafer, Kerkez; Sallai, Szoboszlai; Varga

Possible starting line-up for the Netherlands:
Bridge; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van de Ven, Hato; Gravenberch, Reijnders; Malen, Simons, Gakpo; Zirkzee

We say: Hungary 0-2 Netherlands

Since Hungary has not posed a major threat up front for a few months, the Netherlands should not be scrutinized too much in Budapest, especially with Van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch He undoubtedly knows better than anyone how to undo Szoboszlai.

Koeman’s squad isn’t as strong as it could be at the moment, but we can still imagine the Dutch running out of comfortable winners ahead of next week’s huge encounter with Germany.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, click here.

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