Hungary and Czech Republic will take a break from Euro 2024 qualifying action when they square off in a friendly in Budapest on Sunday.
While the away side endured a frustrating night versus Albania on Thursday, Hungary continued their resurgence with an impressive victory in Serbia.
Match preview
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Ahead of their showdown in Belgrade, there was the perception that Hungary were the underdogs, despite having only lost to Italy on two occasions across a 13-game period.
Marco Rossi had also witnessed his team be held to a goalless draw in Montenegro as recently as June, but Hungary stepped up to deliver a likely-crucial win in their efforts to reach Euro 2024.
Despite going behind courtesy of an early own goal, Hungary were leading by half time through efforts from Barnabas Varga and Willi Orban.
Having been able to withstand Serbia during the second half, the Magyars now find themselves at the top of Group G and with a five-point cushion over third place.
With just four matches left, Hungary are in an extremely strong position ahead of the reverse encounter with Serbia on October 14.
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On the same night that Hungary were adding another eye-catching triumph to their collection, Czech Republic were experiencing a surprise 1-1 draw with Albania.
Although Czech Republic are not the force that they once were, there was every expectation that they would dent the growing belief of Albania in Group E.
Instead, a 66th-minute equaliser from Nedim Bajrami kept Albania within one point of their hosts and leaders, the top-four teams separated by just three points at the halfway stage.
While Jaroslav Silhavy's team are on a five-match undefeated streak, qualification for next year's Finals is far from assured with trips to Poland and Albania still to come.
Team News
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Rossi will almost certainly take the chance to ring the changes to his Hungary XI, with Attila Mocsi and Gabor Szalai both pushing for debuts in central defence.
Zsolt Kalmar may be brought into midfield, potentially at the expense of Adam Nagy, while Dominik Szoboszlai could drop down to the substitutes' bench to allow Krisztofer Horvath to earn his first cap.
Goalkeeper Patrik Demjen is another possible debutant between the sticks, with Martin Adam potentially receiving an opportunity in attack.
Silhavy could rest a number of his experienced Czech Republic stars with Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek among those who could drop to the substitutes' bench.
Although there are no uncapped members of the squad, David Zima, Michal Sadilek and Adam Hlozek are all players who may be in line to come into the team.
Hungary possible starting lineup:
Demjen; G. Szalai, Mocsi, Lang; Nego, Styles, Kalmar, Kerkez; Sallai, Horvath; Adam
Czech Republic possible starting lineup:
Stanek; Krejci, Zima, Holes; Masopust, M. Sadilek, Kral, Provod; Cerny, Hlozek, Cvancara
We say: Hungary 2-1 Czech Republic
With both teams potentially lining up with different starting lineups, this fixture is a difficult one to call. However, while Hungary lack the strength in depth to take them to the next level right now, we are backing some of their non-star names to step up in front of their own supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
