Two camps who both missed out on the chance to book their respective tickets to North America this summer, Hungary will welcome Finland to Budapest on Friday night.

While neither Hungary or Finland might not be featuring at this month’s World Cup, that doesn’t mean we are short of interesting betting promotions and bonuses.

Verdict: Hungary win

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: 1xBet

Hungary

Starting with the hosts, suffering real frustration last year as they signed off their World Cup qualifying adventure with an action-packed 3-2 loss against Ireland and missed out on the chance to book their spot in North America, Hungary are now searching for some kind of momentum. Signing off March’s international break with an uneventful 0-0 stalemate against Greece, the Magyars have failed to record consecutive victories across all competitions since back in March 2024. However, despite clinching just a pair of wins in front of their own supporters over the past two years, Marco Rossi’s side will be excited by their most recent battle against Friday’s opponents. Landing a 2-0 victory when they welcomed Finland to Budapest for a Nations League showdown in 2018, Hungary should be smelling the chance to claim an immediate response here.

Hungary Team News

Signing off his third campaign with Premier League giants Liverpool, talismanic skipper Dominik Szoboszlai will lead Hungary out on Friday night and earn a 64th International cap here. While Milos Kerkez might have endured a downbeat maiden season on Merseyside, the former Bournemouth defender will start at left-back.

Despite being expected to leave Galatasaray this summer after notching just a sole domestic strike, Roland Sallai should spearhead Hungary’s attack in Budapest. Enjoying an eye-catching campaign with Championship outfit West Brom, Callum Styles has been handed a recall.

Finland

As for the visitors, failing to make any kind of impact during their World Cup qualifying adventure last year, Finland have long since gained a reputation for their glaring inconsistencies. Getting completely blown away against European giants Germany last weekend as they fell to a 4-0 drumming, Jacob Friis’ side have won just a quartet of their previous 12 appearances across all competitions. Signing off their qualifying campaign last year with a worrying 1-0 loss at home against Malta, Finland have also gained a reputation for their issues on the road. Including another 4-0 defeat against the Netherlands back in October, Friday’s guests have notched just a pair of wins outside of Helsinki since way back in November 2023.

Finland Team News

Despite being set to turn 37 later in the year, Monaco goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky will start between the sticks on Friday night and earn a 104th international cap here. Bagging 25 Serie B strikes with Palermo this season, one-time Bayer Leverkusen striker Joel Pahjanpalo will lead the line.

While Oliver Antman might have endured a frustrating maiden campaign at Ibrox, the 24-year-old could be handed a full recall. Playing his domestic football with fellow Scottish outfit Aberdeen, Topi Keskinen should also feature in Budapest.

Hungary vs Finland Key Factors to Consider

• When Hungary and Finland last met back in November 2018, Friday’s hosts collected a 2-0 Nations League victory in Budapest.
• The Magyars have failed to record consecutive victories across all competitions since back in March 2024.
• Finland have lost five of their previous six showdowns on the road across all fronts.
• Friday’s guests have notched just a pair of wins outside of Helsinki since way back in November 2023.
• Hungary have recorded a clean sheet in three of their previous four matchups in front of their own supporters.

Conclusion

While Hungary might not be planning for a North America adventure this summer, Friday’s hosts should be confident of claiming an immediate response here. Keeping a clean sheet in three of their last four outings, the Magyars will certainly be excited by their most recent showdown against Finland. Landing a 2-0 victory when they welcomed Friday’s guests to Budapest for a Nations League battle back in November 2018, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.

Verdict: Hungary win

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: 1xBet