Hungary vs Netherlands | Friday 11 October 2024 | 21:45
Hungary hosts the Netherlands at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest in a high-stakes Group C UEFA Nations League clash. The Netherlands will be aiming to build on their strong start to the campaign, while Hungary will be desperate to claim their first win in the competition.
To Win (90 min)
Hungary 38/10
Draw 26/10
Netherlands 6/10
Hungary
Hungary’s Nations League campaign in 2024 has been turbulent. They started with a devastating 5-0 loss to Germany and followed it up with a goalless 0-0 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina on home soil.
Hungary currently sits at the bottom of Group C with one point from two matches and a concerning five goal difference. With no goals scored and their defence looking shaky, Marco Rossi’s side faces an uphill battle.
Key players like Dominik Szoboszlai and Ádám Szalai will need to step up if Hungary is to compete with the Netherlands. Szoboszlai’s creativity in midfield will be critical, but the lack of cutting edge up front is a major concern.
Hungary’s defence, led by Willi Orbán and Attila Szalai, must also be more disciplined to avoid another blowout against a quality opponent. Hungary, with just one point and a poor goal difference, needs a victory to avoid being left behind.
Netherlands
The Netherlands has started their campaign solidly, sitting in second place in Group C with four points from two matches. After an emphatic 5-2 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina and a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Germany, Ronald Koeman’s side comes into this match with momentum. However, defensive lapses have cost them, and they’ll need to tighten up at the back if they are to challenge Germany for the top spot in the group.
Key players like Cody Gakpo and Denzel Dumfries have been instrumental in their attacking play, with the duo contributing goals and assists. The defence, led by Virgil van Dijk, has been shaky at times, but the quality of their overall squad should be more than enough to cause problems for Hungary.
Both Germany and the Netherlands are tied on 4 points, making this a must-win game for the Dutch if they want to stay in contention for the top spot.
Prediction: Netherlands Win
Despite Hungary’s home advantage, the Netherlands is expected to have too much quality for the hosts. Hungary’s inability to score in this competition so far, combined with their defensive frailties, makes the Netherlands heavy favourites. Expect a more measured performance from the Dutch, but they should walk away with all three points.