Hungary v Italy
26 September 1945hrs
Football – Europe – Nations League
Pick Italy AH-0.25
Bookmaker bet365
Odds: 1.65 odds taken 1135 GMT, Sunday 25th September
Monday evening brings us further action from the Nations League and features the other upcoming clash in League A/Group 3 between group leaders, Hungary, and 2nd placed Italy, at the Puskas Arena in Budapest with Hungary just need to avoid defeat in order to see them progress into the finals stage, while Italy know that nothing less than three points here will do.
Table of Contents
Hungary Preview – Can Hungary turn the tables on Italy?
Hungary have been the surprise package in Group 3 so far in this season’s Nations League competition as the anticipated underdogs of the group sit in top spot with 10 points under their belts and possess a two point cushion over 2nd placed Italy who are now the only ones left standing in the hosts’ way of progressing to the finals stage.
Hungary have deserved their success in this campaign though as the hosts have lost just once in their five group games to date whilst also picking up three wins in the process, by way of victories over England home and away with 1-0 and 4-0 wins respectively, along with handing out a 1-0 win against Germany, which was even more impressive given it was away from home as well.
Monday’s hosts have enjoyed the Nations League format as the bigger picture shows Hungary have suffered just two defeats out of their last 14 matches overall, which were to Russia (back in September 2020) and the recent 2-1 loss away from home at Monday night’s visitors, Italy, while form on home soil has also been pretty solid.
The Magyars have lost just one of their previous eight home games in this competition and they’ve picked up five wins as well, but they’ve never beaten the visitors, Italy, in each of their last seven competitive matches and the hosts look set for another tough 90 minutes on Monday night as they look to protect their lead at the top of Group 3.
Hungary coach, Marco Rossi, will be without first choice forward, Roland Sallai, who is out with an eye injury along with defender Zsolt Nagy who is also sidelined with an injury.
Italy Preview – Can Azzurri claim last-gasp win?
Italy coach, Roberto Mancini, knows his side have only one option left open to them in order to progress into the finals stage of this season’s Nations League as his side trail Monday’s hosts, Hungary, by a two point margin, so only a win will do in Budapest for the Azzurri in Monday night’s Group 3 showdown at the Puskas Arena.
Italy have also suffered just the one defeat so far in the group phase which was a heavy 5-2 thrashing away from home at the hands of 3rd placed Germany but the visitors have done just about enough to stay in contention for a possible shot at the finals stage having picked up wins against Hungary and England in 2-1 and 1-0 victories, both of which were recorded on home soil, while also picking up points in draws with Germany and England.
The visitors have also enjoyed reasonable success in this Nations League competition as they have lost just two of their last 15 matches overall, which were to European powerhouses, Spain and Germany, whilst also picking up seven wins within this sequence, so they are expected to be a tough proposition for Hungary here on Monday night.
Italy have also lost just two of their last seven outings on the road in this format and the visitors have also had the upper hand over Hungary in previous exchanges as they have remained unbeaten against their hosts in the previous seven meetings in competitive matches, losing just once in an international friendly.
Italy coach, Roberto Mancini, may have to do without the services of last season’s Serie A’s leading goalscorer, Ciro Immobile, who is battling to be fit with a thigh injury.
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Hungary v Italy
Key Facts – Hungary v Italy Tip
- Hungary have lost just 1 of their previous 8 home games in the Nations League
- Italy have lost just 2 of their last 15 matches overall in the Nations League
- Italy are unbeaten in the previous 7 competitive meetings v Hungary
Hungary find themselves just 90 minutes away from progressing into the finals stage of the Nations League for the first time in this competition’s short history but although they’ve produced some impressive displays along the way, the hosts face arguably their biggest test yet on Monday night as they’ve already lost to Italy in the group fixtures.
Italy know nothing less than a win will do here and the visitors may just pull out all the stops to snatch a last-gasp victory and break Hungarian hearts in the process.
The best betting odds for Hungary v Italy
Hungary to win: 4.00 at bet365
Draw: 3.50 at bet365
Italy to win: 1.90 at bet365
