Hungary vs Australia Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

After a positive draw with Columbia back in March, Australia stepped up a gear ahead of the World Cup by beating Czech Republic by four goals to nil last weekend. Such a result will have certainly improved the confidence levels of Bert van Marwijk’s men. This match in Budapest will be the Socceroos’ final test ahead of their tough opening World Cup fixture against the French.

Unlike Australia, Hungary have been moving backwards of late. Saturday’s hosts went into Wednesday’s match with Belarus, which they drew 1-1, off the back of two very disappointing defeats against Kazakhstan and Scotland. Defensively, Georges Leekens’ men are struggling, while they’re not exactly thriving from an offensive point of view.

From an attacking point of view, though they did anything but dominate possession, Australia did the job well against Czech Republic last time out. In a way, the score-line was perhaps a tad misleading. Czech Republic did plenty with the ball and created a few promising opportunities, though it was the Australians who were far more productive with the attacks that they had. A repeat performance would surely see the Socceroos hurt a Hungary back-line that has looked very timid in recent times.

However, the Aussies did give away chances against Czech Republic, so it’s easy to feel that on another day they would’ve conceded a couple of goals. For all they have been struggling defensively, the hosts don’t often go without scoring, so they’ll fancy themselves against a visiting back-line that wasn’t as secure as the score-line suggested last time out.

At the prices, ‘Both Teams to Score’ looks a good option. The catalyst for both teams finding the net on Saturday evening is likely to be a common weakness at the back. Hungary are now without a clean sheet in three and have looked particularly vulnerable during each of their three matches in 2018. Having conceded five goals in those three matches, they’re fancied to falter once more.

Like the hosts, Australia are also somewhat unsecured at the back. Last time out, a lack of end-product from their opponents was the main reason for their clean sheet, while much of the same can be said for their 0-0 draw with Columbia prior to that. Before those somewhat fortunate clean sheets, Australia conceded against both Norway and Honduras, shipping four against the former. On top of this, the visitors have kept a clean sheet in just two of their last ten on the road.

Given the recent defensive performances of this pair, both should be spurred on offensively. At the prices, backing each team to take advantage of their opponents’ frailties makes plenty of sense.