Hungary will host the Netherlands at the Puskas Arena in the UEFA Nations League, looking to pick up their first win of the campaign.
Hungary are yet to secure their first win in the UEFA Nations League this season, and they are yet to find the back of the net either as they get set to welcome the Netherlands to the Puskas Arena. They are coming into this game on the back of a comprehensive defeat to Germany and a goalless draw against Bosnia & Herzegovina.
On the other hand, the Netherlands have picked up a win over Bosnia and a draw against Germany. The Oranje have four points to their name, and they will be looking to pick up a win here. The last time these two sides met in 2013, the Netherlands managed to put eight goals past Hungary.
It remains to be seen whether they can put on another classic performance here. There is no doubt that they have the quality to put on a strong show. The last time Hungary managed to beat the Netherlands was in 1984, and the home team will have to be at their best to get something out of this contest.
Team News & Tactics
Hungary
Hungary do not have any injury problems heading into this contest against the Netherlands, and they should be able to field a full-strength lineup. The home side are likely to shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Denes Dibusz in goal.
In the back three, Botond Balogh will start alongside Willi Orban and Marton Dardai. Bendeguz Bolla and Milos Kerkez will start as the full-backs, and they will look to help out at both ends of the pitch.
Adam Nagy should feature alongside Andras Schafer in the central midfield pairing. They will look to keep things compact in the middle of the park and protect the side defensively.
Dominik Szoboszlai will start alongside Roland Sallai in the advanced areas. They will look to create goalscoring opportunities with their passing and vision in the final third. Finally, Barnabas Varga will lead the line for Hungary against the Netherlands.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Dibusz; Botka, Dardai, Orban; Bolla, A. Nagy, Schafer, Kerkez; Sallai, Szoboszlai; Varga
Netherlands
Nathan Ake and Jurrien Timber are sidelined with minor injuries. Other than that, Ronald Koeman has a fully-fit squad to choose from for the latest international. The Netherlands will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Hungary, with Bart Verbruggen in goal.
Denzel Dumfries and Jorrel Hato will start as the full-backs, and they will look to help out defensively and create goalscoring opportunities in the attacking half as well. Matthijs de Ligt will start alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Ryan Gravenberch will add creativity, control and composure alongside Jerdy Schouten, who will protect the side defensively. Tijjani Reijnders will start as the central attacking midfielder, with Xavi Simons and Cody Gakpo on either side of him. Finally, Brian Brobbey will lead the line for the away side.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Dumfries, de Ligt, van Dijk, Hato; Gravenberch, Schouten; Simons, Reijnders, Gakpo; Brobbey
Key Stats
- The Netherlands have scored at least four goals in their last five matches against Hungary in all competitions.
- The Netherlands have won their last five matches against Hungary in all competitions.
- 33 goals have been scored in the last five meetings between these two teams.
- Hungary have conceded five goals in their last two UEFA Nations League matches.
- Hungary are winless in four of their last six matches in all competitions.
Player to Watch
Xavi Simons
The 21-year-old attacking midfielder is in fine form this season, and he will look to influence the game with his goalscoring ability and creativity from the flanks. Simons is our key player to watch out for, and he could cause all sorts of problems for the Hungarian defence. He will look to get his name on the score sheet and create opportunities for his teammates as well.
Prediction
Hungary 1-3 Netherlands
Hungary have some quality players at their disposal, and they will look to put on a strong display here at home. However, the Netherlands are in impressive form, and they have a better set of players at their disposal. The away side should be able to grind out all three points. A comfortable win for the Netherlands is on the cards this week.
