Scotland and Hungary are set to face off in a crucial match at the Euro 2024 group stage on June 23, 2024.
This encounter is a must-win for both teams as they look to secure a spot in the knockout stages.
The match will take place at the MHPArena in Stuttgart, Germany, and promises to be an exciting and intense contest.
Match Preview
Scotland, led by Steve Clarke, have had a mixed bag of performances so far in the tournament.
They started with a 5-1 hammering by hosts Germany, but bounced back with a gritty 1-1 draw against Switzerland.
This draw left Scotland with one point, placing them third in Group A.
Key players to watch include Scott McTominay, who has been in fine form, and Andrew Robertson, known for his attacking prowess.
Hungary, under Marco Rossi, have struggled to find their footing.
They lost both of their opening matches, 2-0 to Germany and 3-1 to Switzerland.
Despite their poor form, Hungary still holds a glimmer of hope to advance to the knockout stages.
Key players include Szabolcs Szoboszlai, who has shown flashes of brilliance, and Dominik Szoboszlai, a talented midfielder.
Scotland’s last five matches have seen them draw twice, one win, and lose two. Their most recent match against Switzerland was a closely contested 1-1 draw.
Hungary, on the other hand, have won twice and lost three times of their last 5 matches, including their opening two matches in the tournament.
Scotland and Hungary have met nine times in friendly matches, with Hungary leading 4-3 in wins and two games ending in draws.
Six of these nine meetings have produced over 2.5 goals.
Scotland have scored in back-to-back games in the European Championships for the first time, although they were on the scoresheet against Germany thanks to Antonio Rüdiger’s own goal.
Prediction
This match is a must-win for both teams, and it is likely to be a closely contested and intense encounter.
Scotland’s defensive woes, particularly with the absence of Kieran Tierney, could be exploited by Hungary.
However, Scotland’s attacking prowess, led by Scott McTominay, could prove too much for Hungary’s struggling defense.
Expect a cagey affair until a goal is scored, then the game should open up as both teams go all-out to snatch three points. We predict Scotland to edge it out 2-1.
Betting Tips
– Match result, a draw is likely to ensue given the importance of the match for both teams.
– Total goals, under 2.5 goals is a safer bet given the defensive struggles of both teams.
– Both teams to score is a likely outcome given the attacking prowess of Scotland and the defensive vulnerabilities of Hungary.