Northern Ireland vs Hungary predictions: Home is where the heart is for Green and White Army
Aaron Ashley
Northern Ireland have lost only one of their last 11 home games
Four of the last five meetings between these sides have gone under 2.5 goals
Recommended bet: Northern Ireland to win, under 0.5 first-half goals & under 2.5 goals @ 7/1 with LiveScore Bet
Northern Ireland were promoted to the second tier of the Nations League after winning Group C3 and there were concerns that they could find the rise in class a little too hot to handle.
However, Michael O'Neill’s youthful side made the perfect start to Group B2, pouncing late to edge to a 1-0 victory over Georgia, and that will have given them plenty of confidence ahead of a visit from Hungary.
The Green and White Army are certainly a progressive outfit following the unearthing of some fresh talent and Hungary are bidding to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Ukraine.
Team news
Oxford midfielder Jamie McDonnell was forced to withdraw from the Northern Ireland squad through injury and joined Conor Bradley, Ali McCann and Brad Lyons on the sidelines.
Towering centre-back Dan Ballard was forced off late on in the win in Georgia and looks unlikely to feature.
Ronald Sallai and Barnabas Varga remain missing from the Hungary squad, leaving manager Marco Rossi with decisions to make in the final third.
The latest Northern Ireland vs Hungary odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Northern Ireland have lost only one of their last 11 home games and that was a 1-0 defeat to Germany.
Each of Northern Ireland’s last seven matches have featured two or fewer goals.
Both teams have scored in only two of Northern Ireland’s last nine matches.
Hungary have won only two of their last six away fixtures.
Four of the last five meetings between these sides have gone under 2.5 goals.
The latest Northern Ireland vs Hungary odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Northern Ireland were excellent defensively in victory at Georgia, with Shea Charles' 99th-minute winner providing them with their first success at this level of the Nations League.
However, it was fully deserved and they may be able to follow up at home to Hungary, who looked short on attacking spark in a 1-0 reverse against Ukraine.
Hungary have the quality to hurt Northern Ireland but the hosts give little away to the opposition at Windsor Park, where they have won nine of their last 11 outings.
Northern Ireland have kept clean sheets in each of those victories, showcasing their defensive steel, and that includes games against Denmark and Slovakia.
The Green and White Army tend to be embroiled in low-scoring clashes - four of their last five matches have featured just a solitary goal — and it could be another cagey start before they land the spoils.
Score prediction: Northern Ireland 1-0 Hungary
The latest Northern Ireland vs Hungary odds are available on LiveScore Bet
