Hungary vs Portugal Predictions & Betting Tips

Hungary came into Euro 2016 as hot favourites to finish bottom of Group F, but a stellar performance in their group opener against Austria has changed all of that. They were fantastic in that game as they kept a solid shape at the back and countered well, eventually leading and then grabbing another on the counter as Austria pushed for an equaliser.

A game against Iceland followed, who were high on confidence after earning a draw against Portugal. Hungary dominated possession in the first half but the Icelandic side were more incisive in attacking areas. The minnows got their reward five minutes before the break when Gyfli Sigurdsson netted from the penalty spot after Tamas Kadar fouled Aron Gunnarsson in the box. The second half picked up where the first half left off, and Hungary continued to struggle to create openings against a deep lying Iceland defence. Substitute Nemanka Nikolic made the difference though as he surged down the right wing and cut the ball back across the six yard box, resulting in a sliding Birkir Saevarsson turning it into his own net with just two minutes remaining.

This leaves Hungary top of Group F coming into the final group game, and a point against Portugal would probably see them top their group with five points. A defeat for them and a win for Iceland would relegate them to 3rd position though, so it’s still all to play for.

Portugal look destined for under performance yet again. They failed to beat a resolute Iceland in their group opener, and the rant from Cristiano Ronaldo made waves across football as he criticised Iceland’s ‘Small mind mentality.’

Things didn’t get any better for the Portugal captain in their second match against Austria either. Ronaldo became Portugal’s record 128th appearance against Austria, but twice he was denied by Austria goalkeeper Robert Almer before he won a penalty after being wrestled to the ground. His penalty came back off the post as his frustrating tournament continued, and with ten minutes to go he had a goal disallowed for offside. It was a night to forget for Portugal’s poster boy, and despite his multiple opportunities to open the scoring he was largely on the fringes of play for Portugal.

The goalless draw in Paris puts Portugal 3rd in Group F, behind Iceland on goals scored. A win over Hungary on Wednesday would see them leapfrog them and into the automatic qualifying positions, but a defeat could see them end bottom of their group depending on the result of Iceland vs Austria.

Portugal need a win really, but they have done in their previous two games and have failed on both occasions. Their attacking play just doesn’t seem up to scratch and Ronaldo has been a disappointment. We know that Portugal are largely a one-man team, and with him failing to perform you just can’t see where their goals will come from.

Hungary held off the attacking threats of Austria well and dominated the game against Iceland, and they know that they just need a point to guarantee qualification. I expect them to switch back to the 4-5-1 that frustrated Austria. With Portugal struggling to find top gear I think that formation will frustrate them too, and odds of 2/1 for a Hungary Win or Draw Double Chance look too good to turn down. That’s what I’m backing along with a 1-1 draw at 17/2.