Hungary vs Turkey: betting odds March 23, 2025

The second leg of the 2024/25 Nations League playoff between Hungary and Turkey will take place on March 23 at the Puskás Arena in Budapest. The score of the first match was 3-1 in favor of Turkey. Hungary vs. Turkey: prediction and betting odds, statistics.

Hungary

Marco Rossi's team predictably ceded possession to the Turks in the first match, playing a counter-attacking game. Despite losing in terms of territorial control, Hungary was more interesting in attack, taking more shots on goal, but only one out of six on target was successful (1-3). To stay in League A, Hungary needs to win with a large margin. If the second leg ends with a two-goal victory for the hosts, extra time will be played. Notably, the team has not won in this tournament in three consecutive matches (1 draw and 2 losses).

• In the last eight Nations League matches, Hungary has secured only one victory (3 draws and 4 losses).
• At least two goals have been scored in Hungary's last five matches in this tournament.
• Hungary has not scored more than one goal in 8 of their last 9 Nations League games.

Predicted lineup for Hungary (3-4-2-1)

Denes Dibusz – Marton Dardai, Willi Orban, Attila Fiola – Zsolt Nagy, Andras Schafer, Tamas Nikiher, Bendeguz Bolla – Dominik Szoboszlai, Milos Kerkez – Barnabas Varga.

Midfielder Andras Schafer and defender Zsolt Nagy will miss the match due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Turkey

The first match turned out to be surprisingly high-scoring, despite the xG being 0.7:0.94 in favor of the Hungarians. Turkey managed to win with a confident two-goal margin thanks to efficient finishing – all three shots on target resulted in goals. Notably, Vincenzo Montella's side has lost only once in their last seven Nations League matches (4 wins and 2 draws). To debut in League A, Turkey needs to avoid defeat in the second leg, or even a one-goal loss will suffice.

• At least two goals have been scored in 14 of Turkey's last 17 Nations League matches.
• Turkey has avoided defeat in 11 of their last 13 matches in this tournament (8 wins and 3 draws).

Predicted lineup for Turkey (4-4-2)

Ugurcan Cakir – Kaan Ayhan, Samet Akaydin, Evren Elmali, Abdülkerim Bardakci – Orkun Kökcü, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Oguz Aydin, Hakan Calhanoglu – Kenan Yildiz, Kenan Yildiz.

Midfielder Orkun Kökcü is suspended for this match.

Referee

Felix Zwayer (Germany)

Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25);

Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 60;

Average yellow cards per match – 6;

Red cards shown – 6;

Average fouls per match – 22;

Penalties – 30%.

Hungary vs. Turkey: Match Prediction

The hosts have no choice but to attack from the first minutes of the second leg. Hungary was active in the first game, but they were somewhat unlucky in finishing. I am confident that they will perform much better at home, and if they manage to score an early goal, the intrigue in this encounter will be reignited. Moreover, at home, the team has decent results, having lost only to Italy in their last eight Nations League matches (2 wins and 5 draws).

Interestingly, in June 2020, Hungary defeated Turkey 2-0 at their venue. Additionally, the team had not lost to this opponent before the first encounter in four consecutive official matches (3 wins and 1 draw). It is worth noting that Turkey's away performance in this tournament is not impressive – in their last 10 away matches, they have won three (3 draws and 4 losses), with victories against Iceland, Luxembourg, and Lithuania.

My prediction – “Hungary with a handicap (0)”