Hungary vs Netherlands Prediction: Can star-studded Dutch defence keep a clean sheet?

Marco Rossi’s Hungary side gained plaudits over the summer but ultimately they failed to get out of Group A despite beating Scotland at Euro 2024. Their start to this Nations League campaign has also been pretty tough as they find themselves coming up against some of Europe’s giants..

Germany smashed them 5-0 in the opener, before they failed to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina at home, with that one ending 0-0. Now, they host the Netherlands in Budapest on Friday (19.45), looking to get their first win on the board. Below you can find my Hungary vs Netherlands prediction featuring team news and betting tips.

Team News

Familiar faces to the Premier League Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez will both be involved in this one, as the Liverpool man’s influence continues to grow at Anfield. He will captain his nation again here, and he is likely to start behind Barnabas Varga, who of course suffered that horrific head injury at Euro 2024. 

Luckily the Ferencvaros striker has now fully recovered from that, while the popular Martin Adam offers another option up front. There’s also been a first call-up for Plymouth Argyle’s Kornel Szucs who could win his first cap at the age of 23, but Callum Styles has been left out of the squad. 

Meanwhile, the Netherlands’ squad features all the usual suspects including Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven and Cody Gakpo. Nathan Ake is out through injury, but Manchester United duo Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt are also both included despite their poor club form. It remains to be seen whether Zirkzee will be able to edge out Brian Brobbey for that starting spot, given the Ajax man started against Germany. 

Memphis Depay has been left out having only recently moved to Corinthians, so I’d expect Zirkzee to come in, with Gakpo on the left and Xavi Simmons on the right. With Ryan Gravenberch and Van Dijk also set to start, there’s certainly a Merseyside flavour to this Dutch outfit. 

Hungary vs Netherlands Odds

Hungary are priced at 4/1 to win this game, with the Netherlands available at 4/6 for the win. A draw can be backed at 3/1, over 2.5 goals is 4/6 and BTTS is also 4/6. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s forward Cody Gakpo is the favourite to open the scoring at 5/1. 

Netherlands to win to nil @ 15/8

The Dutch have been in fantastic goalscoring form of late, scoring five against Bosnia and two against Germany. Despite their strong array of individuals in defence, they’ve actually been slightly leaky at the back, conceding four goals in those two games. 

However, with three of the first-choice back four - Denzel Dumfries, Van Dijk and De Ligt - all available, I think we should see a better defensive performance. Ian Maatsen or Micky van de Ven will come in at left-back and the Tottenham man will be desperate to nail down a place for his national team. 

Meanwhile, Hungary have been tepid in front of goal of late, failing to score against Germany and Bosnia. They dominated in the home game against Bosnia but couldn’t find the breakthrough, and this will be a far tougher test. I’m happy to back the away side to win to nil. 

Cody Gakpo to score @ 8/5

Gakpo always seems to produce for the Netherlands. He scored against Bosnia in that 5-2 success and is a contant threat carrying the ball on that left-wing. He got an assist for Liverpool in their last Premier League game at Crystal Palace but has found it difficult to break into the team this season with Luis Diaz’s good form.

He’s clearly a mercurial left winger and trying him elsewhere doesn’t seem to work for him, but for his country he is allowed to play in his preferred position. With good movement ahead of him likely to open up space, I think Gakpo will once again step up to the plate for his nation, especially given Memphis is out of the squad.

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