Prediction: Germany vs Hungary

Verdict: Germany win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to make another Group A statement on Wednesday evening, Germany will welcome Hungary to the MHPArena.

Germany

Starting with the hosts, opening this summer’s European Championships with a rampant performance in Munich as they stormed their way to a 5-1 romp against Scotland, Julian Nagelsmann will be calling on a repeat performance here. Knowing that they could officially book their knockout stage ticket on Wednesday evening, the Nationalelf certainly find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. With many billing this summer’s host nation as a leading contender, the former RB Leipzig boss has not seen his squad suffer a single defeat from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions. Signing off their pre-EURO 24 preparations with a 2-1 victory at home against Greece, Germany appear to be well placed to mount a genuine charge over the next month.

Team News

Finding the net against Scotland on Friday night and now recording four goals in his previous seven international appearances, Arsenal’s Kai Havertz will once again be deployed in a false nine role. Likewise, both getting on the scoresheet in Munich, the superstar duo of Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala will join Havertz in the final third.

Already announcing that he will retire at the end of this summer’s European Championships, Toni Kroos will be partnered with Bayer Leverkusen’s Robert Andrich at the heart of Germany’s midfield. Joshua Kimmich will once again start at right-back and earn an 88th international cap here.

Hungary

As for the visitors, while Hungary might have gained a string of plaudits following on from their qualifying romp last year, the Tricolours open their European adventure with a nightmare display over the weekend. Eventually falling to what was a disappointing 3-1 defeat at the hands of Switzerland, Marco Rossi’s men now face a major uphill battle if they are to claim a famous knockout stage ticket this month. Despite claiming a remarkable 1-0 victory when they travelled to Germany while in Nations League action in September 2022, they will be concerned by their extended issues on foreign soil. Including a 2-1 loss against Ireland earlier in the month, Hungary have claimed just a single victory from any of their previous seven matchups away from the Puskas Arena.

Team News

Coming off the bench and replacing Adam Lang at half-time on Saturday afternoon, Servette defender Bendeguz Bolla could be handed a full recall at the MHPArena. Liverpool ace Dominik Szoboszlai will lead out Hungary in midweek and earn a a 44th international cap.

Bagging what was a consolation strike against Switzerland over the weekend and now recording three goals in his back-to-back appearances over the past week, 29-year-old Barnabas Varga will once again play a leading role here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Germany and Hungary last met back in September 2022 while in Nations League action, the Tricolours picked up a famous 1-0 victory at the Red Bull Arena.
• However, opening their Group A campaign with a 3-1 loss against Switzerland over the weekend, Hungary have recorded just a single win from any of their previous seven appearances on foreign soil.
• Getting proceedings underway with a stunning 5-1 romp against Scotland last week, Germany are unbeaten in all of their previous five appearances across all competitions.
• Hungary have recorded just two clean sheets from any of their previous 11 appearances.
• Arsenal’s Kai Havertz has scored four goals in his previous seven international appearances.

Conclusion

Opening this summer’s tournament with a stunning 5-1 romp against Scotland last week, Germany will certainly be seeking a repeat performance here. Certainly enjoying life under the guidance of Nagelsmann, the Nationalelf will know that they could wrap up a knockout stage ticket on Wednesday evening. Although Hungary might have claimed a remarkable 1-0 victory when they travelled to Leipzig while in Nations League action back in September 2022, we are expecting a home victory for the three-time European champions here.

Verdict: Germany win

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmaker: Luckster