England continue to ramp up their preparations for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with their first UEFA Nations League clash of this cycle against Hungary at the Puskas Arena on Saturday evening.
In contrast, the hosts will not be present on the big stage, and off-field controversy continues to bedevil the players ahead of this League A Group 3 fixture.
Match preview
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A successful evening for England on the pitch in Hungary was dampened by a torrent of racist abuse hurled down from the stands back in September's World Cup qualifier, and the expectation was that Saturday's encounter would take place behind closed doors.
However, with children and guardians permitted to attend in line with UEFA's ruling, the Puskas Arena can reportedly expect to welcome as many as 30,000 spectators for the weekend's Nations League opener, where Marco Rossi's players will hope to inspire the next generation.
Hungary held their own in the Euro 2020 Group of Death without making it count for much as they bowed out in the group stage, and it will likely be a similar story in the Nations League, with Italy and Germany lying in wait either side of their England double-header.
A first appearance in the World Cup finals since 1986 still eludes the world's 40th-ranked nation, whose most recent fixture saw Roland Sallai net the only goal in a 1-0 friendly success over Northern Ireland - a third win from five in all competitions for the Magyars.
On a more negative note, Hungary welcome England to Budapest having won just two of their last six home matches in all competitions, and even then those successes were against European minnows in San Marino and Andorra, so their upcoming Nations League campaign may not be a memorable one following their two successive promotions from the doldrums of League C.
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There may be mixed feelings for England gunning for Nations League glory before they have added another Euros or World Cup trophy to the cabinet, but the Three Lions should not turn their noses up to a piece of silverware 12 months on from their Euros heartbreak.
Gareth Southgate will be sticking around until at least 2024 following the signing of his new contract back in November, which came as England eased into the 2022 World Cup unbeaten in 10 Qualifying matches - topping Group I in the process.
Five goals were scored and only one was conceded as England claimed a pair of friendly victories over Switzerland and Ivory Coast back in March, with Southgate taking the opportunity to experiment with his XI during those periods, and the Nations League provides the last-chance saloon for those seeking to become an integral part of the boss's Qatar plans.
The less said about England's 2020-21 bid for Nations League glory the better, as the Three Lions could only muster a third-placed finish in League A Group 2, and they will renew hostilities with Germany three days after their gruelling journey to Budapest.
Nevertheless, a 10th unbeaten game in a row beckons for England this weekend, while they have also won each of their last four in all tournaments, and their somewhat forgettable trip to the Puskas Arena back in September ended in a straightforward 4-0 success before they were held to a 1-1 draw at Wembley one month later.
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Team News
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There are no real surprises in the Hungary setup for June's fixtures, with 80-cap skipper Adam Szalai aiming to break into the top 10 of Hungary's all-time appearance list with a start on Saturday evening.
Winger Kevin Varga is the only player from March's squad to drop out for the Nations League, but there are a quartet of uncapped names hoping to make an impression, including 17-year-old striker Zalan Vancsa.
Rossi's customary 3-4-2-1 formation should see Szalai supported by Sallai and Dominik Szoboszlai as ever, while Peter Gulacsi will expect to demote Denes Dibusz down to the bench.
Meanwhile, England have already been dealt one injury blow following the withdrawal of Arsenal centre-back Ben White, who is yet to completely shake off the muscular problem that plagued him during the final few weeks of the Premier League season.
Southgate must also check on the fitness of Trent Alexander-Arnold following his unsuccessful Champions League exploits, but Jordan Henderson has been left out of the squad alongside Eric Dier, Tyrone Mings and Emile Smith Rowe, who is with the Under-21s.
Jarrod Bowen and James Justin will both push for their first caps this month, and calls for Fikayo Tomori to earn a start in defence will fall on deaf ears amid the AC Milan centre-back's fitness problems.
Marc Guehi will also miss out alongside the COVID-positive Phil Foden, while Raheem Sterling is also a doubt after illness disrupted his week of training.
Hungary possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; At. Szalai, Orban, Lang; Nego, A. Nagy, Schafer, S. Nagy; Sallai, Szoboszlai; Ad. Szalai
England possible starting lineup:
Pickford; James, Stones, Maguire, Trippier; Rice, Bellingham; Saka, Mount, Grealish; Kane
We say: Hungary 0-3 England
Hungary have proven to be a tough examination for several sides in recent months and will have memories of a well-earned Wembley draw fresh in the memory, even if sections of their supporters tarnish their on-field endeavours.
Nevertheless, the England juggernaut continues to roll on, and the importance of building momentum before Qatar cannot be understated, so we can only back a comfortable Three Lions win on Saturday.
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