Northern Ireland return to Belfast on Monday night with the chance to make it two wins from two in the Nations League.
Michael O’Neill’s side could hardly have started their League B campaign more dramatically. Pierce Charles saved Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s penalty before his brother Shea scored a 99th-minute winner to beat Georgia 1-0 in Tbilisi. It was Northern Ireland’s first away victory in Nations League history.
Hungary had a much more frustrating Friday night.
Marco Rossi’s side lost 1-0 at home to Ukraine despite having 57% possession and 17 attempts. Danylo Sikan’s first-half header proved decisive, leaving Hungary looking for their first points of the campaign at Windsor Park.
Northern Ireland are back on home soil for the first time this year, and the fixture is sold out. After surviving Tbilisi, this young side now get the chance to show what they can do with Windsor Park behind them.
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What are the best betting tips for Northern Ireland vs Hungary?
Northern Ireland draw no bet
There is enough here to make opposing Hungary interesting.
Northern Ireland might have needed a little fortune in Georgia, particularly with Kvaratskhelia missing from the spot, but winning in Tbilisi is still an excellent result.
They have also become difficult to beat at home. Northern Ireland have avoided defeat in 10 of their previous 11 home matches heading into Monday.
Hungary, meanwhile, created plenty against Ukraine without finding the finish. They had 17 shots but only four tested the goalkeeper.
Windsor Park should provide a very different test.
With the draw offering protection, Northern Ireland draw no bet appeals.
Under 2.5 goals
This has the makings of a tight game.
Northern Ireland’s opener finished 1-0. Hungary’s opener finished 1-0. Marco Rossi has also said he expects Monday’s contest to produce relatively few goals, highlighting Northern Ireland’s organisation and defensive approach.
O’Neill’s side are unlikely to suddenly open the game up against the group’s top seeds.
Hungary can dominate possession, but turning that control into clear chances was their biggest problem against Ukraine.
Another scrappy game would hardly be a surprise.
Dominik Szoboszlai 2+ shots
If Hungary are going to break Northern Ireland down, plenty will run through Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Hungary captain was heavily involved against Ukraine and remains their biggest threat from distance and set pieces. Northern Ireland’s compact shape could also leave Hungary taking more attempts from outside the penalty area rather than consistently getting behind the defence.
With Barnabás Varga and Roland Sallai unavailable, even more attacking responsibility falls on Szoboszlai.
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What have the managers said?
Michael O’Neill:
O’Neill believes Northern Ireland’s young squad is developing nicely, but he doesn’t want expectations getting out of hand.
Before the Nations League opener, he said:
“I think we’re in a good place but it’s important we don’t put too much pressure on the players.”
O’Neill pointed out that the side which faced France in June had an average age of just 22 and believes League B will provide an important test of their progress.
Friday’s win certainly provided one.
After Northern Ireland battled through a difficult second half in Georgia, O’Neill praised the character his players showed:
“In the second half we had to show a lot of resilience.”
That resilience could be required again against a Hungary side likely to have more of the ball.
Marco Rossi:
Rossi was understandably frustrated after Hungary somehow emerged empty-handed against Ukraine.
“We didn’t deserve to lose, but we lost, that’s football.”
Hungary created the better chances but couldn’t take them, while Ukraine converted their first real opening.
Rossi’s focus quickly moved to Monday’s game, with the Hungary boss stressing the importance of recovery before travelling to Belfast.
Speaking ahead of the game, he also warned his players about Northern Ireland’s physical and set-piece threat:
“From the first minute to the last, we have to stay focused.”
Despite several attacking absences, Rossi insists Hungary will still be competitive.
What is Northern Ireland’s predicted team?
(3-4-2-1) Pierce Charles; Atcheson, McConville, Brown; Hume, Shea Charles, Galbraith, Devenny; Kelly, Price; Donley.
Injured: Daniel Ballard.
Ballard has been ruled out for the remainder of the international window after suffering an injury against Georgia.
Ruairi McConville is an option to replace the Sunderland defender, while O’Neill is otherwise expected to keep much of the side that won in Tbilisi.
What is Hungary’s predicted team?
(4-3-1-2) Balázs Tóth; Bolla, Orbán, Markgráf, Kerkez; Alex Tóth, Csongvai, Schäfer; Szoboszlai; Bárány, Lukács.
Injured: Barnabás Varga, Roland Sallai, Damir Redzic.
Unavailable: Rajmund Tóth, József Szalai.
Rossi has confirmed that some changes are likely because of the short turnaround from Friday’s defeat.
Varga and Sallai remain significant attacking absences, while Redzic has also been ruled out. Rajmund Tóth and Szalai did not travel to Belfast.
Northern Ireland vs Hungary prediction
Northern Ireland won’t mind making this uncomfortable.
They showed in Georgia that they can stay in games without dominating possession, and Windsor Park should give O’Neill’s young side another lift.
Hungary have the individual quality to control long spells, particularly through Szoboszlai, but Friday exposed the problem: possession and shots don’t necessarily translate into goals.
With both opening matches finishing 1-0, another low-scoring contest looks likely.
Northern Ireland have enough to take something from it.
Score prediction: Northern Ireland 1-1 Hungary
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