Northern Ireland welcome Hungary to Windsor Park, Belfast, in an international friendly.
This is Northern Ireland’s last chance to prepare for their new UEFA Nations League campaign as they look to win promotion to Group B, whereas Hungary will be looking to go into the Nations League on a high after drawing England, Germany and Italy in League A3.
Team News
Jonny Evans won’t feature for Northern Ireland after withdrawing from the squad following Friday’s win in Luxembourg as agreed with his club – Leicester City, as the veteran defender continues to slowly rebuild his match fitness after recovering from a hamstring injury.
Ian Baraclough otherwise has a fully fit squad available for selection.
Hungary have no fresh injury concerns to report after losing 1-0 to Serbia last Thursday in a friendly, although Attila Szalai withdrew from the squad prior to that match through injury and won’t feature here.
Stat Attack
- Northern Ireland have lost each of their two previous friendlies against Hungary (L2).
- Hungary have won both friendly clashes against Northern Ireland without conceding (W2), with both matches played away in Belfast
- Northern Ireland have won just one of four previous home matches against Hungary in all competitions.
- Northern Ireland are unbeaten in their last four home matches without conceding (W1, D3), in which all three draws finished goalless.
- Hungary have kept just one clean sheet in their last six away matches in all competitions (W3, D2, L1).
Prediction
Having delivered a hard-fought clinical victory against Luxembourg on Friday despite finding themselves marginally outplayed in attack, Northern Ireland now will fancy going four matches unbeaten for the first time under Baraclough which would be a positive step forward.
Northern Ireland also are in good home form with four matches unbeaten at Windsor Park without conceding, including goalless draws against Switzerland and Italy which actually stands them in good stead for this match.
Hungary though are yet to lose a friendly away against Northern Ireland without conceding but will be eager to produce a reaction here, following Thursday’s friendly loss against Serbia so I can see the first goal being particularly crucial to the outcome of this clash.
If Northern Ireland score first then mount another impressively disciplined defensive display then they should edge this, whereas Hungary surely will chase more goals if they get ahead early on but breaking down the Irish defence will be key.
Prediction: Northern Ireland 0-1 Hungary
Result: Northern Ireland 0-1 Hungary
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