Northern Ireland vs Hungary Predictions

• Northern Ireland have drawn five of their last seven internationals at Winsdor Park (after 90 min).
• Hungary have drawn two of their last four away games – against Germany in Munich and at Wembley versus England.

Green and White Army aim to repeat Italy display

Unbeaten in their last five competitive contests at Windsor Park, Northern Ireland can surely avoid defeat to what could be an experimental Hungarian line-up on Tuesday. Ian Baraclough’s side are actually unbeaten across their last six in 90 minutes play as it took extra time for Romania to knock them out of the Euro 2020 playoffs back in November of that year.

The former Motherwell boss masterminded a superb 0-0 draw with European champions Italy late last year in which the Green Army edged according to most observers. And even the stats bear that out with Italy’s xG only fractionally better than their hosts while Northern Ireland had two big chances to the Azzurri’s one.

It would be easy to think that given what happened in November they could beat Hungary here, but the Magyars tend to reserve their best displays for away from home.

Magyars may be more dangerous away from home

Hungary finished fourth in England’s World Cup qualifying group, above only Andorra and San Marino, but they collected more points away from home (ten) than when in front of their own support (seven) – if it was allowed into the stadium. Marco Rossi’s men earned a deserved 1-1 draw at Wembley and averaged exactly two goals per away game in qualifying for Qatar 2022, which suggests they are a problem on the counter-attack.

Their recent friendly record is nothing like as good, although Northern Ireland lost their last home game of that nature so both nations may be at their best when the chips are down. That said, we believe the hosts will get a 1-1 draw against what could turn out to be an experimental line-up from the Magyars.

Rossi put a full-strength side out from the start against Serbia on Saturday and is expected to ring the changes for this fixture and both teams have had plenty of draws on their respective home and away records lately.