• Hungary have lost only one of their five qualifying games

• Republic of Ireland have recorded back-to-back wins over Armenia and Portugal

• Recommended bet: Draw

There will be plenty on the line when Hungary and Republic of Ireland face off in a crucial World Cup qualifier at the Puskas Arena in Budapest on Sunday.

Ireland sit third in Group F ahead of this final round of fixtures and remain in the qualification hunt after Thursday's famous 2-0 victory over Portugal in Dublin.

The equation is simple for Heimir Hallgrimsson's side, as only a win will keep them in the hunt to reach next summer's finals, most likely via the play-offs, although there is a scenario where they could still top the group.

Hungary sit a place and point above the Irish in second and a draw would guarantee their place in the play-offs, while a win, coupled with leaders Portugal slipping up at home to Armenia, could open the door for the Magyars to qualify automatically.

The latest Hungary vs Republic of Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Team news

Hungary have no fresh injury concerns heading into this game and head coach Marco Rossi could stick with the same team that won 1-0 in Armenia on Thursday.

Barnabas Varga scored the only goal of that game and is expected to lead the line once more, while Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai should captain a team also featuring his club team-mate Milos Kerkez and West Brom's Callum Styles.

Ireland boss Hallgrimsson is also unlikely to make many changes following his best result in charge. Troy Parrott was the hero against Portugal, scoring both goals, and will hope to play a key role once again.

Evan Ferguson is injured and not part of the squad, as is Callum O'Dowda, who plays his club football in Hungary with Ferencvaros.

The latest Hungary vs Republic of Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

These two sides played out a 2-2 draw when they met at the Aviva Stadium at the start of this qualifying campaign, with Ireland coming from two goals down to salvage a point.

Hungary have won four of the 14 previous meetings, with Ireland claiming three wins and there have been seven draws.

Both sides can still top the group and qualify automatically for the World Cup, finish second and enter the play-offs, or come third, which would end their hopes of progressing to the finals.

Hungary have not qualified for a World Cup since 1986, while Ireland last appeared on the global stage in 2002.

Barnabas Varga has scored four times for Hungary in this qualifying campaign, only Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo has netted more goals in the group (five).

Troy Parrott netted both of Ireland's goals in the win over Portugal. The AZ Alkmaar forward has also scored 13 times in 14 games at club level this season.

The latest Hungary vs Republic of Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

It is difficult to know how Hungary will approach this game and a lot may depend on how things are going for Portugal against Armenia.

If, as expected, Portugal look like they are going to ease to victory, then Hungary may try to hold out for a draw which would be enough to clinch a play-off spot.

For Ireland, the equation is a lot more simple, they know anything short of a victory and their qualification hopes will be over. The question is do the Boys in Green have enough left in the tank after their exertions on Thursday?

Seven of the previous 14 meetings between this pair have ended all-square, including the last three clashes on Hungarian soil, as well as the 2-2 draw in Dublin at the start of this qualifying campaign.

With not much separating these sides both in the group and historically, another share of the spoils could be played out on Sunday, which would keep Hungary's hopes of qualification alive but, unfortunately for Ireland, end theirs.

Back the draw at 9/4 with LiveScore Bet

The latest Hungary vs Republic of Ireland odds are available on LiveScore Bet