At a time when 32 nations are preparing for the upcoming World Cup, Luxembourg and Hungary are gearing up to square off in an international friendly on Thursday evening.
Both teams have just encountered near misses in the UEFA Nations League, finishing in second place after more productive campaigns than had been anticipated.
Match preview
© Reuters
When Hungary were drawn in a Nations League group alongside Italy, England and Germany, there was the assumption that they faced an inevitable relegation to the second tier.
However, Marco Rossi's team remarkably collected 10 points from their six fixtures, recording a double over England without conceding a goal and finishing seven points clear of the bottom-placed Three Lions.
Winning the group was on their radar heading into the last game with Italy, only a draw being required to achieve the unthinkable, but the European champions departed Budapest with a decisive 2-0 triumph.
Despite that disappointment, the Magyars only look to be on an upward trajectory, and they will be optimistic about earning a spot at Euro 2024 having been drawn alongside Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria and Lithuania.
Firstly though, Rossi will want his side to end their calendar year with back-to-back victories over Luxembourg and Greece, who follow on Sunday.
© Reuters
From the perspective of the home side, three wins and two draws recently came from six games against Turkey, Faroe Islands and Lithuania in the Nations League.
The difference between top spot and runners-up in their group was a 2-0 loss at home to the former, Luxembourg producing one of their best performances in recent history to draw 3-3 in Turkey in September to stay in close proximity.
Nevertheless, frustration will stem from Luc Holtz's team having led on three separate occasions before conceding a decisive equaliser in the 87th minute.
Holtz can still be optimistic about the future, however, ahead of testing home fixtures on Thursday and the one that follows against an improving Bulgaria outfit at the weekend.
Team News
© Reuters
With only one player missing from the recent win over Lithuania, Holtz has the opportunity to name a settled side for this fixture.
The one necessary alteration comes at right-back with Florian Bohnert seemingly in line to return to the starting XI.
Danel Sinani and Gerson Rodrigues, who have 23 international goals between them, should be selected in attack.
Far more changes will be made to the Hungary side with four players missing from the defeat to Azzurri in September.
Denes Dibusz, Callum Styles, Daniel Gazdag and Martin Adam are all in contention to earn a recall to the team.
Luxembourg possible starting lineup:
Moris; Bohnert, Jans, Chanot, Mica Pinto; V. Thill, S. Thill, Barreiro, Borges Sanches; Sinani, Rodrigues
Hungary possible starting lineup:
Dibusz; At. Szalai, Lang, Orban; Fiola, Styles, Nagy, Kerkez; Gazdag, Szoboszlai; Adam
We say: Luxembourg 0-3 Hungary
Despite the inclusion of a number of newcomers, Hungary will expect to prevail from this contest with relative ease. Although Luxembourg can be pleased with their recent progress, they are facing opponents who are enjoying their best period for years.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
