Hungary vs England

Unbeaten in their last 13 international dues with Hungary (W11, D2), England will be looking to bounce back from the Euro 2020 disappointment when the two nations meet at the Puskás Aréna.

Hungary’s World Cup qualifying campaign started with an enthralling 3-3 home draw with Poland in a match that witnessed a couple of turnarounds. The ‘Magyars’ have since posted back-to-back World Cup qualifying triumphs over lower-ranked opponents San Marino and Andorra, prevailing by a three-goal margin on each occasion. It’s been over 12 years since the Hungarians last won three consecutive World Cup qualifiers, though England’s visit seems unlikely to help them achieve that feat now. The hosts have lost both previous competitive home H2Hs, conceding precisely three goals apiece. Even though their Euro 2020 campaign ended in the group stage, Hungary can draw confidence from holding Germany and France to draws, notably scoring in both matches. If they manage to maintain an unbeaten start to their World Cup qualifying campaign here, Hungary’s hopes of reaching their first final tournament since 1986 will grow exponentially.

In the meantime, England will be desperate to put their Euro 2020 grand final heartbreak behind as they aim to extend their 100% start to this World Cup qualifying campaign (W3). Free-scoring Three Lions have found the net in all six halves of World Cup qualifying action so far, which has been the case in just one of their last three H2Hs, including friendlies. However, Gareth Southgate’s men have suffered one defeat in their previous 50 matches in qualifying for the Euros/World Cup (W40 D9), going down 2-1 to the Czech Republic in October 2019. What’s more, the UK giants are unbeaten in their last 24 World Cup qualifiers (W18, D6) since losing 1-0 away to Ukraine in October 2009. All eyes will be on Tottenham talisman Harry Kane, who has been involved in 30 goals across his last 21 Euros/World Cup qualifiers, scoring 22 and assisting eight.