After two high score competitions in September, the Netherlands If you travel to Budapest on Friday, there is a lot to offer in terms of entertainment UEFA Nations League collision with Hungary.

Oranje are in second place in Group 3 of League A after the first round, while the winless visitors are in last place with just one point from their first two games.

Game preview

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Ollie Watkins can still haunt the dreams Ronald Koeman and Co., but the Netherlands responded in the best possible way to their crashing elimination in the semi-finals of the Euro 2024 against England and scored five goals against the unfortunate Bosnia-Herzegovina in the opening game of the 2024/25 Nations League.

A heavyweight duel with Germany followed, in which Tiijani Reijnders scored the first goals with his opening goal in the second minute Deniz Undav And Joshua KimmichBut Denzel Dumfries saved the bacon for the Netherlands in a thrilling game 2-2 draw.

While the Netherlands and Germany are tied in total points and in direct duels, they are currently satisfied with this due to Oranje’s worse goal difference Second place in Group 3although that would still be enough to qualify for the quarterfinals.

The Netherlands, beaten as semi-finalists in the 2022/23 edition after finishing second to Portugal in the inaugural competition in 2018/19, are long overdue for another international success, now marking 36 years since their first and only major triumph Tournaments have passed at the European Championships in 1988.

An outstanding away record in the Nations League will stand the Dutch in good stead this week, as after failing to win any of their first five away tournament games, they have prevailed in their last four games, scoring multiple goals each time.

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Hungary, which previously occupied League C in the first edition of the Nations League, is now embarking on its second consecutive season in top-flight football after retaining its League A status in the 2022-23 edition.

This outstanding performance followed a commendable Euro 2020 campaign which saw the Hungarians maintain themselves in the ‘Group of Death’, but defeats against Germany and Switzerland meant their 2024 run was, despite being just as short in duration Last minute victory about Scotland.

After scoring just two goals in its three Euro 2024 games, Hungary has not yet followed in its footsteps in the Nations League. In the opening game in September, Germany lost 5-0 before only managing a goalless draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina on matchday two.

After the Bosnians actually managed to score last month, Hungary currently sit last in Group 3 of League A, which would mean automatic relegation to the second division for the next round.

However, Marco RossiEngland’s men have enjoyed a fantastic run of home results in their last 11 games – nine wins and two draws – some consolation as they prepare to face a team they lost 8-1 to in their last World Cup encounter in 2013 lost cup qualification.

Hungarian Nations League form:

Hungary form (all competitions):

Dutch Nations League form:

Dutch form (all competitions):

Team news

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A large proportion of the players involved in last month’s games will not be available for the Netherlands this time around, including defenders from Arsenal and Manchester City Jurrien Timber And Nathan Akeduring Juventus’ Teun Koopmeiners withdrew after naming the squad.

During Monday’s press conference, Koeman insisted Liverpool are rocking Virgil van Dijk and Tottenham Hotspur speed demon Micky van de Ven are perfectly capable of competing together, but he just hasn’t had the chance to bring them together yet.

However, this central duo could finally be used on Friday, at Manchester United Matthijs de Ligt could make way for the Red Devils after a few error-filled performances.

Meanwhile, Hungary coach Rossi has assembled another collection of familiar names for October’s games, namely the RB Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi is not one of them, as the 34-year-old has personally decided not to represent his country this time.

Gulacsi’s absence has resulted in him being named Blackburn Rovers’ goalkeeper, yet to be capped Balazs Tothbut Ferencvaros’ Denes Dibusz will undoubtedly put on the gloves on Friday, where captain Dominik Szoboszlai will compete with some of his Liverpool team-mates.

Toth is one of two players playing in the championship and hoping to make their senior Hungarian national team debut on Friday; 23-year-old defender from Plymouth Argyle Kornel Szucs is the other.

Possible starting lineup for Hungary:
Dibusz; Botka, Dardai, Orban; Bolla, A. Nagy, Schäfer, Kerkez; Sallai, Szoboszlai; Varga

Possible starting lineup for the Netherlands:
Confidence; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van de Ven, Hato; Gravenberch, Reijnders; Painting, Simons, Gakpo; Circzee

We say: Hungary – Netherlands 0:2

Since Hungary has not been a major threat on the offensive for a few months, the Netherlands should not be put under too much pressure in Budapest, especially not because of Van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch Surely he knows better than anyone how to destroy Szoboszlai.

Koeman’s squad isn’t as strong as it could be at the moment, but we can still imagine Oranje coming out comfortably victorious ahead of next week’s mammoth game against Germany.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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