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Preview: Montenegro vs. Hungary - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 15 June 2023, 21:26
Hungary could go joint-top of their Euro 2024 qualifying group if they defeat Montenegro in Saturday's game at Podgorica City Stadium.

The Brave Falcons won one and lost their second game in March, while the unblemished visitors seek to keep their record perfect this weekend.

Match preview

Montenegro got their European Championship qualification campaign off to a promising start with a 1-0 win at Bulgaria, even if they could not follow it up with maximum points when they hosted Serbia.

Miodrag Radulovic's team look to avoid consecutive home defeats when they welcome Hungary, who claimed maximum points in their only game of Group G in March.

However, their record in qualifying for the Euros has been appalling, with that victory over Bulgaria the nation's only triumph in 12 matches.

Eight of those games have been losses, and a ninth loss in 13 games leaves the Brave Falcons playing catch-up after three rounds of fixtures.

Playing at home has not helped Montenegro, as evidenced by a six-game winless run on their turf since beating Liechtenstein in September 2015.

Those statistics will be music to Hungary's ears, owing to the away side's ambition to move level with table-topping Serbia on Saturday.

The Group G leaders do not play this weekend, opening the door to the chasing pack to close in on them with maximum points.

Marco Rossi's men triumphed 3-0 in their opening game of the group against Bulgaria and could lead the section if they secure maximum points in winnable encounters against Saturday's opponents and Lithuania next week.

Admittedly, Rossi's men cannot look too far ahead, but the possibility of supplanting flawless Serbia to become outright group leaders must excite the away team.

Currently on a three-match winning run in European Championship qualifiers, Hungary should back themselves to make it four victories from four.

Montenegro Euro Champ Qualifying form:

W

L

Montenegro form (all competitions):

L

L

D

L

W

L

Hungary Euro Champ Qualifying form:

W

Hungary form (all competitions):

W

L

D

W

W

W

Team News

Nikola Krstovic, scorer of Montenegro's winner against Bulgaria, should start for the Brave Falcons for the third straight qualifier.

Stefan Jovetic and Stefan Savic are expected to play from the off for Radulovic, who should utilise a 3-5-2.

RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai is Hungary's top threat, and the attacking midfielder's performance could be pivotal to this weekend's result.

Szoboszlai's club teammate, Willi Orban, is anticipated to start at the heart of the defence, with Rossi expected to utilise a 3-4-2-1.

Montenegro possible starting lineup:

Mijatovic; Vujacic, Savic, Tomasevic; Vesovic, Savicevic, Scekic, Haksabanovic, Marusic; Jovetic, Krstovic

Hungary possible starting lineup:

Dibusz; Lang, Orban, Szalai; Bolla, Nagy, Vecsei, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Sallai; Adam

We say: Montenegro 1-2 Hungary

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