Verdict: Portugal win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to claim consecutive World Cup qualifying victories on Tuesday night, Portugal will travel to Budapest when they meet Hungary.

Hungary

Starting with the hosts, suffering a major second-half collapse on foreign soil last week as they eventually had to settle for a frantic 2-2 stalemate against Ireland, Hungary have largely come crashing back down to earth since their record-breaking flurry two years ago. Coming under some serious scrutiny earlier in the year as they sacrificed their elite Nations League status following a woeful 6-1 aggregate defeat against Turkey, Marco Rossi appears to have some mounting pressure on his shoulders. In fact, along with failing to clinch a EURO 24 knockout stage ticket last summer, Hungary have also registered just a sole competitive win from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions. Hit with a 3-0 drumming when they last met Portugal back in 2021, Rossi’s struggling squad look set for another stern examination here.

Hungary Team News

Shown a second-half away in Dublin last weekend Galatasaray striker Roland Sallai will miss out through suspension on Tuesday night. Only making his senior international debut earlier in the year, 30-year-old Barna Toth could be handed a first start in Budapest.

Playing the full 90 minutes in all of Liverpool’s opening three Premier League appearances this season, skipper Dominik Szoboszlai will lead out Hungary in midweek and earn a 57th international cap. Making a permanent switch to West Brom last year, Callum Styles will partner Szoboszlai in the middle of the park.

Portugal

As for the visitors, making real history back in June as they clinched a second Nations League crown, Portugal are in the midst of what has become a sensational run of form. Getting their respective World Cup qualifying adventure underway with another dominant display, Roberto Martinez’s side will simply be looking to lay down another marker here. Last seen over the weekend cruising their way to a 5-0 romp away at Armenia, the former Belgium boss has seen his superstar squad gain a string of public plaudits from across the continent. Continuing to climb up the FIFA standings, Portugal have won all of their previous four appearances across all competitions and have found quite the clinical edge in the final third. Recording 14 goals on that four-match winning run, Martinez’s camp will be smelling a golden opportunity here.

Portugal Team News

Opening his World Cup qualifying account with a brace against Armenia over the weekend, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo will earn a history-making 223rd international cap. Likewise, bagging his own respective brace on foreign soil last time out, Joao Felix will be hoping to keep his spot from the start.

Making a loan switch to Tottenham over the summer, Joao Palhinha could be handed a full recall in the middle of the park. Sporting Lisbon academy graduate Goncalo Inacio will partner Manchester City ace Ruben Dias at the heart of Martinez’s defence here.

Hungary vs Portugal Key Factors to Consider

• When Portugal last travelled to Budapest back in 2021, the Navigators stormed their way to a routine 3-0 victory.
• Portugal are unbeaten in all of their nine historic showdowns against Hungary (eight wins, one draw).
• Including their Nations League success back in June, Martinez’s men have won their previous four appearances across all competitions.
• Hungary have registered just a single win from any of their last 10 competitive matchups across all fronts.
• Portugal have notched at least a pair of goals in eight of their previous 11 showdowns.

Conclusion

Getting their World Cup qualifying campaign underway with a dominant 5-0 victory away at Armenia last week, Portugal will simply be looking to make another statement here. Securing a second Nations League crown back in June as they edged past reigning European champions Spain, Martinez’s men are enjoying what has become a record-breaking purple patch. Along with landing a routine 3-0 win when they last met Hungary back in 2021, they are also unbeaten in all of their nine historic battles against Tuesday’s hosts (eight wins, one draw).

Verdict: Portugal win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Olympusbet