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The second of four Nations League clashes in this international break will get underway later this week, with Hungary looking to return to winning ways when they take on Northern Ireland at Windsor Park on Monday night.
Michael O'Neill's side began their campaign with a narrow victory in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi thanks to a 99th-minute winner from Shea Charles, while Hungary suffered their first defeat since being stunned by the Republic of Ireland last year as they fell to a 1-0 loss to Ukraine.
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.
Northern Ireland vs. Hungary key stats
- No side scored a later goal than Northern Ireland's 99th-minute winner across the opening round of Nations League clashes.
- The Green and White Army last beat Hungary in a 2-1 victory in 2014.
- Hungary have won just once in their last seven Nations League group games.
- The Magyars play away from home for the first time since November 2025, with their last six meetings coming on home soil.
Northern Ireland vs. Hungary preview: Can the hosts overcome another tough test as they return to Belfast?
Northern Ireland vs Hungary — Tale of the Tape
| Northern Ireland | vs | Hungary |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Position (Nations League) | 4th |
| 3 | Points | 0 |
| 1 | Goals For | 0 |
| 1 | Goals Against | 1 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 1st / 1st | Home / Away Rank | 4th / 4th |
Northern Ireland travelled to Georgia as underdogs against a strong side containing Giorgi Mamardashvili and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but Michael O'Neill's side secured a late victory thanks to a Shea Charles strike in the 99th minute.
The late win was Northern Ireland's first at this level of the competition and came in their first game in the second tier for six years after they earned promotion from League C during the 2024-25 edition of the tournament.
Charles, who became the most expensive Northern Irish player of all time following his move to Fulham this summer, had scored just once in his previous 35 appearances before securing the win, with his younger brother Pierce having earlier saved a penalty from Paris Saint-Germain's Kvaratskhelia.
The Green and White Army now prepare for another tough test at home against a Hungary side they last beat in September 2014.
As for the away side, they make their way to Windsor Park looking to return to winning ways after suffering their first defeat of the year in a narrow 1-0 loss at home to Ukraine.
Marco Rossi, who is closing in on 100 games as Hungary boss, would have been disappointed to see their impressive home form come to an end on Friday as they faced a side they would have expected to beat.
However, Danylo Sikan's strike shortly before half-time was enough to inflict another Nations League defeat on the Magyars, who failed to make any of their 17 shots on goal count.
Having played their last six games on home soil, Hungary now face their first away trip since November 2025 and enter Monday's clash as slight favourites, although they will know they face another tough test against a Northern Ireland side looking to build on an impressive start.
Northern Ireland vs. Hungary form guide & betting tips
| Northern Ireland | vs | Hungary |
|---|---|---|
|
W
|
Form (Nations League) |
L
|
| 3 | Points | 0 |
| 1st | Form Table | 4th |
| 1 | Goals For | 0 |
| 0 | Goals Against | 1 |
|
L
D
W
L
W
|
Form (All Comps) |
W
D
W
W
L
|
Whispers predicts: Northern Ireland 1-2 Hungary
While Hungary began their Nations League campaign with a defeat at home, we expect them to return to winning ways on Monday night.
A win for the away side is currently priced at 7/4, while our exact scoreline of 1-2 comes in at 10/1.
With that scoreline in mind, we are therefore backing Over 2.5 Goals, which has odds of 6/4.
Dominik Szoboszlai will be keen to make a positive impact after failing to do so last time out, and he has odds of 11/4 to score at any time in Belfast.
> Hungary to win at 7/4 | Likelihood: Probable
> Dominik Szoboszlai to score anytime at 11/4 | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 2.5 goals at 6/4 | Likelihood: Probable
> Correct score of 1-2 at 10/1 | Likelihood: Outsider