Hungary have a mountain to climb in their Nations League playoff second-leg clash with Turkey at the Puskás Aréna on Sunday, 23 March. Read our Nations League predictions for the contest below.
Contents
- 1 Hungary vs Turkey prediction: BTTS market is worth considering
- 2 Pre-game odds and win probability: Teams are tough to split
- 3 Most recent H2Hs: Hungary have the better record
- 4 Hungary preview: Hosts have a clean bill of health
- 5 Turkey preview: Demiral and Guler could return
- 6 Player to watch – Kerem Akturkoglu
Hungary vs Turkey prediction: BTTS market is worth considering
Key Stats
- Both teams managed to score when Hungary lost 3-1 in Thursday’s first leg between the sides in Turkey.
- Hungary and Turkey mustered 25 shots between them in Thursday’s first leg in Istanbul.
- Hungary have failed to win seven of their last eight matches in the Europa League.
- Three Hungary players were booked in Thursday’s first leg in the Turkish capital.
Correct score prediction: Hungary 1-1 Turkey
Hungary have a 3-1 deficit to overcome in Sunday’s second leg, however, they have won only once in eight attempts in the Nations League, netting just five times along the way and they might lack the firepower to turn Turkey over here.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Teams are tough to split
- HOME: 13/8 (2.63) – 38.1%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 13/8 (2.63) – 38.1%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Hungary conceded twice in the last 20 minutes in their 3-1 first-leg loss to Turkey and they have now won only one of their last eight fixtures in the Nations League. Despite that poor return, Hungary remain 13/8 joint-favourites to triumph on Sunday.
Turkey will take a healthy 3-1 lead to Budapest on Sunday, though they have been given a relatively modest 38.1% chance of winning again in the second leg. View our free football tips page for more of the best Nations League predictions and analysis.
Most recent H2Hs: Hungary have the better record
Hungary lost 3-1 in Turkey on Thursday evening, though they won three successive encounters between the nations without conceding before that.
UEFA Nations League 20/03/25
Tu00fcrkiye
Hungary
Hungary preview: Hosts have a clean bill of health
Hungary won the expected goals battle on Thursday (0.94 to 0.70) but finished on the losing side, so they will be hoping for more fortune in the second leg. Head Coach Marco Rossi has few injury issues to contend with and Hungary will be close to full strength in Budapest.
Predicted lineup: Dibusz (GK), Fiola, Orban, Dardai, Schafer, Nikitscher, Bolla, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Nagy, Varga
UEFA Nations League 23/03/25
L
Tu00fcrkiye
3
Hungary
0
UEFA Nations League 20/03/25
L
Turkey
3
Hungary
1
UEFA Nations League 20/03/25
L
Tu00fcrkiye
3
Hungary
1
UEFA Nations League A 19/11/24
D
Germany
1
Hungary
1
UEFA Nations League A 16/11/24
L
Netherlands
4
Hungary
0
Turkey preview: Demiral and Guler could return
Altay Bayindir, Caglar Soyuncu and Ferdi Kadioglu are injured for Turkey. Merih Demiral and Arda Guler missed Thursday's first leg through suspension, though both players should be available on Sunday. Turkey showed a clinical edge in the first leg and scored three times from three efforts on target.
Predicted lineup: Cakir (GK), Ayhan, Akaydin, Bardakci, Elmali, Kokcu, Calhanoglu, Aydin, Yildiz, Yilmaz, Akturkoglu
UEFA Nations League 23/03/25
W
Hungary
0
Tu00fcrkiye
3
UEFA Nations League 20/03/25
W
Hungary
1
Tu00fcrkiye
3
UEFA Nations League B 19/11/24
L
Montenegro
3
Tu00fcrkiye
1
UEFA Nations League B 16/11/24
D
Wales
0
Tu00fcrkiye
0
UEFA Nations League B 14/10/24
W
Iceland
2
Tu00fcrkiye
4
Player to watch – Kerem Akturkoglu
Versatile Benfica attacker Kerem Akturkoglu was Turkey’s key performer in Thursday’s first leg and the 26-year-old’s blend of skill and speed proved too potent for the Hungarian defence to handle.
Akturkoglu could make a major impact
Akturkoglu scored one and created another of Turkey’s three goals on Thursday evening and the forward racked up more attempts (three) than any of his teammates against Hungary in Istanbul. The former Galatasaray man has the tools to make a similar impact on Sunday.