Northern Ireland host Hungary in a Nations League Group B2 clash at Windsor Park on Monday (7.45pm), the buoyant hosts level on points at the top after a dramatic opening win while Hungary arrive winless and under early pressure.
Anthony Eadson’s Northern Ireland vs Hungary predictions, best bets and score prediction are below.
Premium Tips
Anthony Eadson expects Dominik Szoboszlai to be Hungary’s key man in a tight game.
| Premium Tip | Odds | Why we’re backing it |
|---|---|---|
| Dominik Szoboszlai to score or assist | 15/8 (Paddy Power) | Hungary lean heavily on their captain, and with striker Barnabas Varga injured, even more of their threat runs through Dominik Szoboszlai. He takes their free-kicks and corners, and against Ukraine on Friday he completed 56 of 63 passes with three key passes as Hungary created chances worth 2.03 expected goals but still lost 1-0. He is the shortest price of any Hungary player to score, and with Northern Ireland without Dan Ballard and Conor Bradley, Paddy Power’s 15/8 on him to score or assist is a fair price. |
| Draw and both teams to score | 15/4 (BetVictor) | There is little between these sides in the betting, with Northern Ireland no bigger than 19/10 and Hungary 7/4, and 1-1 is the bookmakers’ most likely correct score. Hungary are unbeaten in five visits to Belfast and drew the last competitive meeting at Windsor Park 1-1 in 2015. Northern Ireland have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four games against Hungary, and Hungary created chances worth 2.03 expected goals against Ukraine, so both sides can score. BetVictor’s 15/4 on a draw with goals at both ends fits our 1-1 prediction. |
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware — gambleaware.org · Odds correct at time of publishing.
How Northern Ireland go into the game
Northern Ireland stole a stoppage-time win in Georgia through Shea Charles and sit level on points with Ukraine at the top of Group B2. They have kept nine clean sheets in their last 11 home internationals.
Michael O’Neill’s side are without the injured Conor Bradley, Dan Ballard, Ali McCann and Bradley Lyons, but they carry momentum after promotion from League C.
How Hungary go into the game
Hungary dropped into League B and lost 1-0 at home to 10-man Ukraine on the opening matchday despite dominating the ball, a defeat that ended a four-match unbeaten run.
Marco Rossi’s side are without striker Barnabas Varga, rely heavily on captain Dominik Szoboszlai and have won just one of their last nine Nations League games.
Northern Ireland vs Hungary head-to-head
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29/03/22 | Northern Ireland | 0-1 | Hungary |
| 07/09/15 | Northern Ireland | 1-1 | Hungary |
| 07/09/14 | Hungary | 1-2 | Northern Ireland |
Hungary won the most recent meeting 1-0 in a Windsor Park friendly in 2022, Roland Sallai scoring, and they are unbeaten in five visits to Belfast. The only Northern Ireland win in seven meetings came 2-1 in Budapest in Euro 2016 qualifying.
Northern Ireland vs Hungary predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominik Szoboszlai to score or assist | 15/8 (Paddy Power) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Hungary’s captain and creator. |
| Draw and both teams to score | 15/4 (BetVictor) | ⭐⭐ | 1-1 is the most likely correct score. |
| The draw | 41/20 (10Bet) | ⭐⭐ | Little between them in the betting. |
Northern Ireland vs Hungary score prediction
Hungary have Szoboszlai but arrive out of sorts, while the hosts are buoyant but low on goals. A tight game could easily be shared at Windsor Park. Score prediction: Northern Ireland 1-1 Hungary.
