Hungary vs Ukraine Prediction 25 September 2026
🔉 Both sides missed out on the World Cup and have now turned their focus to the Nations League. For Hungary and Ukraine, the tournament is about more than prestige: a strong showing gives them a chance to compete for a place in League A next season and opens an additional route to Euro 2028 qualification.
🔁 Don't miss important pre-match updates: we'll be adding information on line-ups, injuries and other developments that could affect the balance of the match.
Head-to-Head
📊 These two sides have never met in the Nations League. This match opens a new chapter in their head-to-head rivalry within the competition.
Head-to-head statistics Hungary - Ukraine
Hungary: Reboot After Elimination
Hungary missed out on the World Cup, finishing third in qualifying with eight points. The previous Nations League brought no joy either, with relegation from Division A following a play-off defeat to Turkey. Marco Rossi remains in charge, and his current task is to get the team back into the top tier through home matches, where Hungary have traditionally felt comfortable.
The team have played four friendlies this year and are unbeaten in all of them. They beat Slovenia (1-0), Finland (2-1) and Kazakhstan (3-1), and drew 0-0 with Greece. Across their last eight matches in all competitions, they have won five, drawn two and lost one, with a goal difference of 13-7. At home in 2026, they have played four games, conceding two and scoring six. The team look well organised, with Szoboszlai pulling the strings in the centre of midfield.
Match Results: Hungary
Ukraine: New Manager, New Questions
Ukraine failed to qualify for the World Cup - a play-off defeat to Sweden led to the resignation of Serhiy Rebrov. Andrea Maldera was appointed as his replacement, becoming the first foreign coach to take charge of the national side. The Italian has taken charge of two friendlies: a 2-0 win over Poland and an abandoned match against Denmark (1-2, stopped due to Christian Eriksen's health issue). Two games are too few to draw firm conclusions, but Maldera's task is clear - to bring consistency to the team.
Away from home in competitive matches, the picture is more encouraging. Since November 2024, Ukraine have played six away fixtures and lost only to Belgium (0-3) and France (0-4). Against teams at their own level, they have picked up points regularly: draws with Georgia and Azerbaijan, and wins over Albania and Iceland. In double matchweek windows, Ukraine have traditionally performed well in the first game - which is a positive sign for a team beginning a new cycle.
Match Results: Ukraine
Latest news
Hungary
Rossi has called up 26 players, five of them uncapped: Gundel-Takacs, Varkoni, Doktorics, Jurek and Salai. Injuries have ruled out Sallai, Varga and Styles - all three first-team regulars. Varga's absence leaves a gap up front: Lukacs is experienced but not a prolific scorer, and newcomers Jurek and Salai still need time to settle. Key men Orban and Szoboszlai are available.
Ukraine
Malder has named his squad without Lunin, Konoplya, Malinovskyi, Zinchenko, Dovbyk, Yarmoluk, Andrievskyi, Stapanov and Mudryk. Five players are making their first appearance in a squad: Krupskyi, Drambaev, Varfolomeiev, Khlan and Krasnopyr. At 36, Yarmolenko is chasing Shevchenko's record - he needs one more goal to reach it. Under Malder, Tsygankov has contributed a goal and two assists, while Yaremchuk is the first-choice striker.
🔁 Update - 25 September, 8:03 UTC:
- According to UNN, Roman Yaremchuk will miss the match against Hungary. Ukraine's first-choice striker felt discomfort in his knee during training, and the coaching staff have not included him in the squad. His place could potentially be taken by Vladyslav Vanat or Matvii Ponomarenko, though the latter's involvement is also in doubt due to illness. The most obvious option is the Girona forward leading the attack.
🔁 Update - 25 September, 11:17 UTC:
- The Ukraine coaching staff have announced their squad for the away match against Hungary. Of those called up to the camp, Bogdan Mykhailichenko, Taras Mykhavko, Mykola Shaparenko, Oleksandr Pikhalyonok, Vladyslav Veleten, Ivan Varfolomeiev and Roman Yaremchuk have not made the final list.
Predicted Lineups
📋Predicted Hungary XI: B. Toth - Kerkez, Markgraf, Orban, Bolla - Vitalis, Schafer - Szoboszlai, A. Toth, Regjic - Lukacs
📋 Predicted Ukraine XI: Trubin - Krupskyi, Zabarnyi, Bondar, Mykolenko - Nazarina, Ocheretko - Yarmolenko, Sudakov, Tsygankov - Vanat
🟨 Yellow Cards Prediction
Australian referee Jarred Gillett has averaged 6 yellow cards and recorded 25 fouls per game across seven international matches between 2023 and 2026. In Hungary's last five matches, the Total Cards - Over 3.5 has landed in four of them. The Nations League opener, a home crowd and Rossi's instruction to press aggressively in the middle third all point towards a combative contest. Prediction: Total Cards - Over 3.5 at 1.54*.
⚽️ Goals Prediction
In 10 of Ukraine's last 12 away matches in the Nations League, at least three goals were scored, and in five of those matches even more. Hungary have scored in 9 of their last 10 matches across all competitions. Ukraine have failed to keep a clean sheet in 12 consecutive away matches. An open game from both sides could well produce a healthy total. An interesting option: Total Goals - Over 2.5 at 2.05*.
🚩 Corners Prediction
In 9 of Ukraine's last 11 away matches in the Nations League, they took no more than four corners, and in six of those no more than two. Ukraine tend to build through quick transitions rather than crosses and set pieces. For a bet on this match, consider Ukraine Team Total Corners - Under 4.5 at 1.58*.
🚀 Player Statistics Bet
Dominik Szoboszlai is Hungary's main creative force. In 2026 World Cup qualifying he registered six assists, regularly takes set pieces and orchestrates attacks from the centre. With Hungary holding the initiative at home, his chances of providing an assist are particularly high. Bet: Szoboszlai to Assist.
🎯 Reliable Bet
Hungary score consistently (in 8 of their last 9 matches), while Ukraine concede consistently away from home (in 12 consecutive away matches). On top of that, the visitors are without several key players, and the hosts' attack is built around Szoboszlai and a balanced squad. Even in a cautious scenario, a Hungary goal looks the logical outcome. Prediction: Hungary to Score at 1.26*.
😱 Risky Bet
Both teams are weaker in the second half. Ukraine have conceded after the break in eight consecutive away matches, while Hungary have done so at home in 5 of their last 6 matches. If the game opens up, the second half could bring goals from both sides. Option: Both Teams to Score in the 2nd Half - Yes at 3.40*.
👀 If the Match Goes Off-Script
Despite the statistics pointing towards high-scoring games, teams often play more cautiously in their opening Nations League fixtures - sitting back, waiting for mistakes and not forcing the issue. In that scenario, the total could come in below expectations. An alternative to the main prediction: Total Goals - Under 1.5 at 3.10*.
*Odds are indicative and may vary across different bookmakers
⭐ Editor's Prediction
Both sides score regularly - Hungary in 9 of their last 10 matches, Ukraine in 8 of their previous 10. At home, Hungary play aggressively under Rossi's setup, pressing high and creating chances. Ukraine are not coming to sit back; they arrive with attacking players in Sudakov, Tsygankov and Vanat. There are limiting factors: Dovbyk is out, Malder has only just taken charge, and Hungary rarely allow opponents to score more than once. But the visitors' away defence has conceded in 12 consecutive matches. That is enough to expect both teams to find the net. Prediction: Both Teams to Score - Yes. Score prediction: 2-1.
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Betting Tips: Hungary - Ukraine
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