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

Marco Rossi's side went down 2-1 to Italy on matchday two, whereas the visitors were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against England on their own turf.

Match preview

Hungary proved a tough nut to crack in the Euro 2020 group of death and have begun their Nations League campaign in similar fashion, but they were ultimately undone by Italy's influential midfielders on Tuesday evening.

Nicolo Barella and Luca Pellegrini both struck for the Azzurri before Gianluca Mancini's own goal gave the Magyars a slice of hope, but it was not to be for the League A debutants, who have enjoyed two successive promotions from the doldrums of League C to make it here.

After a plethora of young supporters witnessed Hungary defeat a flat England on the opening matchday, Rossi's side sit second in the standings after two matches and have certainly proven that they are not in League A to make up the numbers, despite expectations of a swift relegation.

Hungary have made a habit of winning one then losing one on home soil over the past 12 months - which does not bode well for the hosts ahead of Saturday's contest - but four wins from their last six in all tournaments will serve to increase the morale in the Magyars ranks.

The world's 40th-ranked nation have also lost just one home game in the UEFA Nations League since its inception and have not failed to score on their own turf in the competition, but a Mannschaft side out to lay down a marker will be fully intent on changing that statistic.

Germany being quelled on the attacking front was simply not a possibility during the visit of England, but only Jonas Hofmann could make the Mannschaft's dominance count with a second-half effort that struck Jordan Pickford's hand before striking the back of the net.

However, a clumsy Nico Schlotterbeck challenge saw Harry Kane send Manuel Neuer the wrong way from the spot in the dying embers - the striker's 50th England goal - and Germany were frustratingly forced to accept a draw versus their long-time rivals.

Hansi Flick's side have now posted three successive 1-1 draws in all competitions after being held by a youthful Italy outfit, and they go searching for their first win languishing in third in the table and still searching for their first appearance in the Nations League finals.

Flick has at least now overseen an 11-game unbeaten run at the helm since Germany's Euro 2020 elimination to England, during which time Die Mannschaft have never failed to score, but they have posted a measly one win from their six away games in the Nations League so far.

Hungary managed to hold Germany to a 2-2 stalemate during the group stage of Euro 2020 and even took the lead on both occasions before being pegged back, and their most recent win over Die Mannschaft came in a 2004 friendly under the tutelage of German legend Lothar Matthaus.

Hungary Nations League form:

Hungary form (all competitions):

Germany Nations League form:

Germany form (all competitions):

Team News

Hungary have lost midfielder Andras Schafer to suspension after the Union Berlin man picked up his second booking of the tournament last time out, which opens up a spot for Balint Vecsei to earn his 10th cap for the Magyars.

The hosts came through their defeat to Italy unscathed and should recall Peter Gulacsi as the last line of defence here, with Denes Dibusz earning a run-out against the Azzurri, and Attila Fiola has made a good case to return to the right-hand side.

Barring any jellied legs, the attacking trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Adam Szalai and Roland Sallai should not be broken up, although Szabolcs Schon could return to provide Rossi with food for thought.

As for the visitors, Marco Reus - who missed the first two games of the month due to illness - is now confirmed to be sitting out the rest of June's fixtures owing to a muscle tear.

Flick did not witness any more players sustain issues in Tuesday's draw with England but is sure to shuffle the pack once more, with Schlotterbeck a candidate for the axe as Niklas Sule hopes to return.

Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka and Leroy Sane are also primed to return to the first team, but Jamal Musiala will not want to lose his place in the final third.

Hungary possible starting lineup:

Gulacsi; At. Szalai, Lang, Orban; Fiola, Vecsei, A. Nagy, Z. Nagy; Sallai, Szoboszlai; Ad. Szalai

Germany possible starting lineup:

Neuer; Klostermann, Sule, Rudiger, Raum; Kimmich, Goretzka; Gnabry, Muller, Musiala; Havertz

We say: Hungary 0-2 Germany

The goalscoring luck of a disciplined Hungary side on home soil may run out against a well-drilled German outfit, who will feel aggrieved not to have come away from any of their two opening encounters with all three points.

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