Hungary vs. Ukraine – prediction, preview & betting tips

Both Hungary and Ukraine will get their 2026-27 UEFA Nations League campaigns underway on Friday evening when Andrea Maldera's side travel to Budapest for the first of four matches during the international break.

The Magyars are unbeaten in their last four matches but failed to qualify for the World Cup after surrendering a two-goal lead in a 3-2 home defeat to the Republic of Ireland last November, while the visitors progressed from their qualifying group before losing a playoff final against Graham Potter's Sweden.

Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.

Hungary vs. Ukraine key stats

Hungary won just one game in their last Nations League campaign.
The Magyars let a two-goal lead slip at home to the Republic of Ireland to see their World Cup qualifying campaign come to an abrupt end.
This will be the sixth consecutive home match for the Hungarians.
Ukraine finished second in their Nations League group, ending the campaign with a four-game unbeaten run.
Andrea Maldera became Ukraine boss in May and is the country's first-ever foreign national team coach.

Hungary vs. Ukraine preview: Can Hungary build on their unbeaten run and begin their Nations League campaign with a victory?

Hungary vs. Ukraine — Tale of the Tape (2026-27 Nations League)

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After suffering a huge disappointment by failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup following a 3-2 loss to Ireland after leading 2-0 at half-time, questions were raised over whether Marco Rossi would remain in charge of Hungary for an eighth year.

However, just nine days after the defeat to the Irish, his position as head coach was backed by the Hungarian Football Federation, and Rossi has now set his sights on guiding the national team through another Nations League campaign after they finished third in the previous edition following a tough group containing Germany and the Netherlands.

Since being stunned by a Troy Parrott hat-trick, the Central European nation have played four friendlies, winning three and drawing one.

Wins over Slovenia, Finland and Kazakhstan, along with a goalless draw against Greece, will offer hope for Rossi's side, but they will know that they need to start their Nations League campaign on a positive note to put last November's heartbreak behind them.

While they have scored six times across their last four outings, finding more goals from their forwards is an area they will be keen to address, with Hungary's six forwards in their current squad having just two international goals between them.

As for the visitors, they make the 700-mile-plus journey to the Hungarian capital on the back of World Cup heartbreak themselves, although they did progress from their qualifying group.

Finishing second in their group with 10 points, behind eventual semi-finalists France, was enough to set up a playoff tie with Sweden, where victory would have seen them travel to North America this summer.

However, Ukraine, led by Serhiy Rebrov at the time, were hit by a Viktor Gyokeres hat-trick in a 3-1 defeat, condemning them to another World Cup disappointment and ultimately leading to the departure of their manager.

Andrea Maldera, a former assistant to Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton & Hove Albion and Marseille, has been tasked with taking over the reins and became the first foreign manager Ukraine have ever appointed in the process.

Friday's visitors have already had a glimpse of life under their new boss, with Ukraine defeating Poland 2-0 in a friendly before taking on Denmark in a clash that was abandoned in the 65th minute following the collapse of Cristian Eriksen.

The Nations League opener will be Maldera's first competitive outing in charge, with the 30-man squad preparing for a gruelling four-game, 10-day schedule that also includes fixtures against Georgia, Northern Ireland and Hungary before the return of club football.

Hungary vs. Ukraine form guide & betting tips

Hungary vs. Ukraine — Last 5 Form Guide

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Whispers predicts: Hungary 3-1 Ukraine

This will be Hungary's sixth consecutive match on home soil and, despite the loss to Ireland in that run, they are unbeaten in their last four matches in front of their home fans, meaning they enter Friday's clash as firm favourites.

Rossi's side are currently priced at 5/4 to win, while our correct-score prediction of 3-1 is available at 18/1.

With that scoreline in mind, we are expecting Over 2.5 Goals and Both Teams to Score to come in, with those selections priced at 21/20 and 4/5 respectively.

Dominik Szoboszlai is Hungary's key goalscoring threat and has already found the back of the net three times for Liverpool this season. He is priced at 2/1 to score his 19th international goal.

📈 Hungary vs. Ukraine — Whispers' Tips

> Hungary to win at 5/4 | Likelihood: Probable

> Over 2.5 goals at 21/20 | Likelihood: Probable

> Both Teams to Score at 4/5 | Likelihood: Probable

> Dominik Szoboszlai to score at 2/1 | Likelihood: Possible

> Correct score of 3-1 at 18/1 | Likelihood: Longhshot