Hungary vs Netherlands

Puskas Arena in Budapest sets the stage for a high-stakes UEFA Nations League clash between Hungary and the Netherlands.

After a final-round defeat to Italy in the last Nations League cycle condemned Hungary to a runner-up finish in Group A3, the Magyars experienced a false start to the 2024/25 campaign, slipping to an awful 5-0 loss to Germany in round one. Marco Rossi’s side demonstrated their lack of prolificacy in the final third again on the previous matchday, playing out a tepid scoreless draw against Bosnia & Herzegovina in Budapest to make it four winless outings from their last five (D1, L3). Yet, it was the first time in 11 home matches that the Hungarians have failed to get on the scoresheet, albeit it preserved their unbeaten home streak in that sequence (W9, D2). The Netherlands’ visit threatens to end Hungary’s dominant home run, considering they’ve lost the last nine H2Hs!

In the meantime, the Dutch couldn’t have imagined a better way to start their Group A3 journey as they thrashed Bosnia 5-2 on day one before holding eternal rivals Germany to a 2-2 draw last time out. No strangers to standout results in the Nations League group stages, Ronald Koeman’s men have topped their section twice in the previous three editions of the newest international competition in European football. Backed by the bookies to take home three points, the Oranje can draw inspiration from going winless in back-to-back outings only once in the past 12 months! Leaving the comforts of their home shouldn’t faze the Netherlands too much, knowing they’ve only lost twice in their last 12 matches as a visiting side (W8, D2).