Montenegro-Hungary is a match on the third day of Group G of Euro 2024 qualifying and is played on Saturday at 18:00: predictions.
In Group G the favourite for first place is Serbia, but there is no shortage of outsiders who could try to overturn the odds and rewrite the hierarchy.
Or in any case contend for second place, which would mean direct qualification to the final phase of the next European Championships. The two main contenders – and the current standings also say so – are Hungary and Montenegro, currently one step above both Lithuania and Bulgaria, who are stuck on zero points. Magyars and Montenegrins, on the other hand, have three each, although the selection coached by Italian Marco Rossi has played one match less. An eventual victory in Podgorica would therefore be extremely important for Hungary, who are determined to secure their third consecutive qualification to the top international competition. Rossi and his men want to capitalise on what they achieved in the last Nations League, in which they finished second behind Italy and put themselves behind emblazoned nations such as England and Germany, both of whom they beat on away goals.
Hungary want to continue to surprise
Hungary couldn’t have made a more convincing debut in these qualifiers, overwhelming hapless Bulgaria 3-0 at home.
Krstovic
The only team capable of getting the better of Hungary in their last 11 matches – including the three friendlies against Luxembourg, Greece and Estonia – was Roberto Mancini’s Italy, who beat them both in the first leg and in the return. Montenegro’s adventure had also started on the right foot (a 1-0 away win against Bulgaria), but on the following day the Balkan selection lost the closely-fought derby against Serbia, who came out on top in the final with a brace from Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. The next step is to break the home fast: Montenegro last won in front of their home crowd a year ago. Miodrag Radulovic’s two most representative players, namely Atletico Madrid’s Stefan Savic and Stevan Jovetic, now at Hertha Berlin, will be there to help out. Hungary are missing Gulacsi, Fiola, Nagy and Schäfer.
The Prediction
This is, on balance, a direct clash for second place, while waiting for Serbia, which is resting on this day, to take the field. Hungary, despite absences, are on the up and seem to have something more than Montenegro: they should avoid defeat in a match with at least one goal each.
Montenegro-Hungary matchday squad
- MONTENEGRO (3-5-2): Mijatovic; Vujacic, Savic, Tomasevic; Vesovic, Savicevic, Scekic, Haksabanovic, Marusic; Jovetic, Krstovic.
- HUNGARY (3-4-2-1): Dibusz; Lang, Orban, Szalai; Bolla, Nagy, Vecsei, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Sallai; Adam.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
