Prediction: Hungary vs Turkey

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 11/5

Bookmaker: 888sport

The upcoming friendly between Hungary and Turkey at the Puskas Arena marks their first meeting since November 2020, when Hungary secured a 2-0 home victory in the UEFA Nations League.

Both teams qualified for Euro 2024 as group winners in the qualifying process, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this encounter.

Hungary

Hungary’s resurgence in international football, marked by their qualification to three consecutive European Championships, underscores their improved performance in recent years. Under the management of Marco Rossi, they topped Group G in Euro 2024 qualifying, finishing unbeaten with 18 points from eight matches.

Their strong form, marked as quite notable since the summer of 2022, continued with impressive victories over Serbia, England, and Germany, among others.

Ranked 27th in the FIFA rankings, Hungary boasts an impressive home record, having gone unbeaten in their last seven matches on home soil. Their previous encounters with Turkey at home have also been successful, with Hungary winning both matches by a combined score of 5-1.

Team News

After a prolonged absence due to a cruciate knee ligament injury, RB Leipzig’s goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi is poised to return to the Hungarian national team, aiming for his first appearance since September 2022. However, he faces stiff competition from Denes Dibusz for the starting goalkeeper position.

Manager Rossi’s 25-man squad includes three uncapped defenders: Marton Dardai, Attila Mocsi, and Gabor Szalai. They are all eager to make their senior debut in the upcoming match on Friday.

Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai is anticipated to feature in midfield, having scored 10 goals in 38 caps for his country. Meanwhile, Martin Adam, Barnabas Varga, Daniel Gazdag, and Roland Sallai are vying for the starting positions in the attacking line.

Turkey

Similar to Hungary, Turkey have also advanced to their third consecutive European Championships by topping their qualification group ahead of Croatia, Wales, Armenia, and Latvia.

Following their absence from Qatar 2022, the Crescent-Stars secured their spot at Euro 2024 with a game to spare, amassing 17 points from eight matches. Notably, they garnered seven points from their final three group games, concluding 2023 on a positive note.

Under the guidance of Vincenzo Montella, who will face Italian counterpart Rossi on the touchline this Friday, Turkey have had a promising start. Montella has won three and drawn one of his first four games in charge, with qualifying for Euro 2024 and a memorable 3-2 friendly victory over Germany standing out as highlights of his tenure so far.

Ranked 35th in the FIFA world rankings, Turkey only suffered two defeats in their 10 international matches in 2023. However, heading into Friday’s match, they have failed to win any of their last four meetings with Hungary, despite winning the previous three encounters between 1995 and 2007.

Team News

Fenerbahce’s Cengiz Under and Ferdi Kadioglu have withdrawn from the squad due to respective groin and calf injuries, while Manchester United’s goalkeeper Altay Bayindir is also sidelined with a muscle issue.

Despite making only seven appearances for Real Madrid in a season plagued by injuries, highly-regarded teenager Arda Guler has been included in the senior squad this month and is in contention to earn his fifth international cap in midfield.

Inter Milan’s Hakan Calhanoglu, with 82 caps, is the most experienced player in Montella’s squad and is expected to feature in midfield, while either Baris Alper Yilmaz or Enes Unal could lead the attacking line.

Conclusion

Both teams head into Friday’s friendly with high spirits and solid form, having shown proficiency in finding the back of the net. This sets the stage for a potentially entertaining match, contingent upon the lineups chosen by both sides.

Hungary have showcased strong performances at home, while Turkey have demonstrated prowess on away grounds. With little to distinguish between these two nations, a score draw seems plausible in Budapest.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 11/5

Bookmaker: 888sport