Hungary have shocked everybody with their play in the Nations League and can secure qualification to the finals on Monday with a positive result against Italy. The reigning European champions also have a chance to qualify from Group 3 and that sets us up nicely for a fascinating clash.
Italy need to win in order to continue their campaign while a draw would be enough for the Hungarians. Bookmaker 10bet has the odds at 2.00 for an away win and at 1.80 for the hosts to avoid defeat. Meanwhile, the odds are at 3.65 for Hungary to win outright.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: September 25th, 7:30 A.M. (EST)
In a very tough group, which also includes England and Germany, Italy have amazingly been the only side to beat Hungary. Nicolo Barella and Lorenzo Pellegrini hit a pair of first-half goals in a 2-1 victory back in June. However, the Italians have only just picked up their second win of the competition and thus they are sitting on only eight points while the Hungarians have two more.
Hungary were the clear outsiders in the group, but draws at last year’s Euros against Germany and France showed that they are capable of matching anyone on their day and manager Marco Rossi has managed to bring out the best of his team throughout the Nations League campaign.
The Magyars have done the double over England, even getting a 4-0 away win against them, and they have earned four points against Germany. A superb back-heel flick from captain Ádam Szalai delivered Hansi Flick his first defeat as Germany boss on Friday.
Szalai, who has bags of experience from the Bundesliga, owns a pretty underwhelming scoring record as a center forward, but he’s strong in the air and also technically very capable, which makes him a tough player to play against. He’s the focal point of Hungary’s attack and is set to play a big role again on Monday in Budapest.
Italy have by far more talent on the team individually but performing as a collective hasn’t gone too well since the Euros triumph last summer. Friday’s 1-0 success over England marks only the fifth win the Italians have managed in 15 games since EURO 2020. The poor run of form has also resulted in Italy missing a second consecutive World Cup.
Roberto Mancini can’t afford another setback and he desperately needs a result that takes the Azzurri to the Nations League finals. Italy have won just one away game as European champions and it would be a perfect time to register a second one on Monday.
