Hungary-Serbia is a match on the seventh day of Group G of Euro 2024 qualifiers and is played on Saturday at 20:45: predictions.
One of the potentially most interesting matches of this qualifying day is undoubtedly the one scheduled at the futuristic Puskas Arena in Budapest between host Hungary and Serbia, the two selections that, at the moment, share first place in Group G. Both, so far, have collected 10 points.
The Magyars, however, have played one match less than the Serbs: they are still undefeated (three wins and one draw) and moreover, they have already won the first direct clash: a month ago the selection led by Italian Marco Rossi beat the Balkans in a comeback (1-2). Having gone into a disadvantage following an unfortunate Szalai own goal, Hungary reacted by scoring two goals in the space of two minutes in the first half, first through Ferencvaros striker Varga and then through Leipzig defender Orban. Three points of no small specific weight in the fight for first place. But in order to snatch a pass for Germany 2024, it is enough to finish among the top two: Serbia should have no problem qualifying for the next continental review, although it will have to watch its back. Just two points behind, in fact, are Montenegro’s cousins, in the midst of the race for qualification.
Hungary still undefeated
Dragan Stojkovic’s selection had made a great start to their campaign, racking up two wins with Lithuania and Montenegro.
Sallai
Then, however, it confirmed its status as a talented but unpredictable team by drawing in Bulgaria (1-1) and losing at home to Hungary. It finally partially made up for it by going on to win 3-1 in Lithuania, but if the goal is to close the file sooner than expected, no more missteps are allowed. An eventual defeat in Budapest would complicate the plans of Milinkovic-Savic and his teammates. Stojkovic, meanwhile, will have to do without Dusan Vlahovic, who is struggling with a nagging lumbago. In front will play Mitrovic, who moved to Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia in the summer, supported by former Lazio man Milinkovic-Savic and Radonjic. There are no major defections in Hungary, which is relying heavily on Szoboszlai, who immediately became a starter at Liverpool, and Varga, also in goal against Fiorentina in the conference league.
The Prediction
It’s not easy to deal with Hungary: the Magyars may be less talented than Serbia, but they have already shown that they can trouble Stojkovic’s defensively unsound selection. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that the hosts will again manage to avoid defeat in a match with at least one goal on each side. It would not be a surprise if the match ended in a draw.
The probable lineups of Hungary-Serbia
- HUNGARY (3-4-2-1): Dibusz; Lang, Orban, Szalai; Nego, Nagy, Styles, Kerkez; Sallai, Szoboszlai; Varga.
- SERBIA (3-4-2-1): V. Milinkovic-Savic; Veljkovic, Gudelj, Pavlovic; Kostic, Maksimovic, Ilic, Zivkovic; S. Milinkovic-Savic, Radonjic; Mitrovic.
POSSIBLE RESULT:1-1