UEFA Nations League

[monks data]

Nations League | League B

Nov 18, 2020 at 7.45pm UK

Puskás Aréna

Hungary
2 - 0
Turkey

Siger (57'), Varga (90+5')
Cseri (54'), Dibusz (77'), Holender (78'), Gyurcso (90+1')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Tekdemir (48')

Preview: Hungary vs. Turkey - predictions, team news, lineups

By Brett Curtis, Reporter

Published: November 16 2020 | 19:16

Last updated: June 5 2024 | 13:46

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's UEFA Nations League match between Hungary and Turkey, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Hungary host Turkey on Wednesday in League B Group 3 of the UEFA Nations League with both sides harbouring hopes of gaining promotion to League A.

Russia travel to Serbia in the other match in the group knowing that a win will guarantee them promotion and their opponents relegation, but any slip-up could see one of these two sides usurp their place at the top of the group.

Match preview

Hungary players celebrate after qualifying for Euro 2020 on November 12, 2020 © Reuters

It has been an excellent week for Hungary, who sealed qualification for Euro 2020 in dramatic fashion against Iceland last week.

Everton midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson's 11th-minute strike looked like being the difference between the two nations, before Loic Nego equalised with just two minutes remaining to breathe life into the Hungarians. Dominik Szoboszlai capped an astonishing turnaround with a sensational strike in injury time, ensuring Hungary will be at the European Championships for a second successive time, having previously waited 30 years to compete in a major tournament.

Manager Marco Rossi may have been frustrated by being held to a 1-1 home draw with Serbia on Sunday, though, when a win would have meant promotion to League A being in their own hands heading into the final match against Turkey.

Instead, even a win would not be enough should Russia defeat Serbia due to an inferior head-to-head record with the Russians, but they will be hoping for a favour from their recent opponents.

Turkey manager Senol Gunes pictured on November 15, 2020 © Reuters

Turkey, meanwhile, had already secured their place at Euro 2020 last year by finishing second behind France in Group H of qualifying.

Indeed, Senol Gunes was already a hugely popular figure in Turkey having previous managed the side to third place at the 2002 World Cup, but he has significantly improved his reputation having won 10 and lost only two of 19 matches since taking charge for a second spell in February 2019.

They are unbeaten in their last six matches, with their last defeat coming at home to Hungary in September, so Gunes and his players will be aware of the threat the Hungarians possess.

Despite impressively beating Russia 3-2 on Sunday, Turkey still require a point to be certain of survival in League B, with promotion to League A only possible if they beat Hungary and Russia fail to beat Serbia.

Hungary Nations League form: WLWDD
Hungary form (all competitions): LWWDWD

Turkey Nations League form: LDDDW
Turkey form (all competitions): DDDDDW

Team News

Hungary manager Cosimo Inguscio pictured on November 12, 2020 © Reuters

Several Hungary players pulled out of the squad after miraculously getting the job done against Iceland last week, with RB Leipzig duo Peter Gulasci and Willi Orban and Mainz 05 forward Adam Szalai among them.

Red Bull Salzburg sensation Szoboszlai remains a dangerous customer for any opponent, however, and is reportedly attracting interest from some of Europe's major clubs.

Turkey appear to be at full strength, with Leicester City winger Cengiz Under continuing his terrific form by scoring in the win against Russia.

Everton striker Cenk Tosun was chosen to lead the line in that victory and may be trusted once more ahead of vice-captain Burak Yilmaz.

Hungary possible starting lineup:
Dibusz; Kecskes, Lang, Botka; Bese, Nagy, Siger, Holender; Kalmer, Szoboszlai; Nikolic

Turkey possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Celik, Ayhan, Demiral, Erkin; Yokuslu, Tufan, Calhanoglu; Under, Tosun, Karaman

SM words green background

We say: Hungary 1-2 Turkey

With Hungary missing several key players, there is no denying that Turkey have the stronger side on paper and a greater depth of talent pool available to them.

We expect to see an entertaining affair in Budapest, with Turkey earning a win which would ensure survival and may even be enough to earn promotion.

Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.