Hungary vs Serbia

A coveted spot at Euro 2024 is at stake as Hungary and Serbia face off in a top-table qualifying Group G six-pointer at the Puskas Arena.

Hungary’s highly anticipated return to the European Championship finals after almost a four-decade absence looks like a virtual certainty following the hosts’ near-perfect four-game start to their Group G campaign (W3, D1). Except for a tepid 0-0 draw at Montenegro on matchday two, the ‘Magyars’ have netted multiple goals in their remaining three Euro 2024 qualifiers, including a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph against Serbia in the reverse fixture in Belgrade. With a game in hand on third-placed Montenegro, Hungary’s two-point lead at the Group G summit puts them in cruising control of proceedings in this section, but there’s no margin for error. Serbia’s forthcoming visit to Budapest ought to throw a spanner in the works, with the Hungarians going winless in both previous H2Hs they’ve hosted (D1, L1).

Extending their flawless run on Hungarian soil is imperative for Serbia after the abovementioned loss in the reverse showdown threw their effort to lock down a place in next summer’s tournament into a corridor of doubt. Dragan Stojkovic’s side overcame a mini-crisis in their last game in September, thumping Lithuania 3-1 on the road to put a two-game winless qualifying run to bed (D1, L1). However, the ‘Eagles’ boast a narrow two-point lead on Montenegro, meaning a potential loss in Budapest could wrestle their qualification hopes away from their hands. Encouragingly for the visitors, an eye-catching three-match run in away Euro 2024 qualifiers (W2, D1) puts them on the brink of a first-ever unbeaten Euro qualification away record in a single cycle as an independent nation.