The top two sides in Group I go head-to-head on Thursday, with second-place Hungary hosting first-place England at Budapest’s Ferenc Puskas Stadium.
Both teams have made an unbeaten start to their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns, adding an extra incentive to Thursday’s clash.
Looking sharp, @masonmount_10 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wxfDLUgHod— England (@England) August 31, 2021
Looking sharp, @masonmount_10 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wxfDLUgHod
Hungary kicked off their qualifiers with an entertaining 3-3 draw with Poland, before beating San Marino 3-0 on Matchday 2.
In their previous qualifier, they crushed Group I minnows Andorra 4-1 – enjoying 76% possession while racking up 16 shots.
Despite being drawn in the group of death at Euro 2020, Hungary managed to hold both France and Germany to a draw.
However, they were beaten 3-0 by Portugal and failed to qualify for the knockout phase – conceding three goals after the 84-minute mark.
It is worth noting that Hungary’s loss to Portugal is their only defeat in their previous 12 games in all competitions.
England, on the other hand, made it all the way to the Euro 2020 final before falling to Italy at the last hurdle.
In terms of World Cup qualifying, Gareth Southgate’s side kicked off their campaign with wins over San Marino (5-0), Albania (2-0) and Poland (2-1).
Thanks to those three victories, the Three Lions are now unbeaten in their previous 23 World Cup qualifiers.
Let’s not forget that England have also lost just one of their last 32 away encounters in all competitions.
If they can pick up the kind of form they showed at Euro 2020, England shouldn’t struggle to get the better of Hungary.
Head-to-head: In 22 meetings between the two sides, England have picked up 15 wins over Hungary, while the Hungarians have only managed five wins (two draws).
That said, Hungary’s last win over England came all the way back in 1962. Since then, the Three Lions have secured 11 wins and two draws.
Team news: Loic Nego and Gergo Lovrensics are unavailable for Hungary, although RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai is back in the squad after missing Euro 2020.
Leeds forward Patrick Bamford has earned his first England call-up, but Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been forced to withdraw from the squad through injury.
Despite Hungary’s impressive showing at Euro 2020, England are expected to flex their muscles and get the job done on Thursday.
Forbet predicts that England will register a clean-sheet victory over Hungary, notching their fourth straight WCQ victory this year.