Republic of Ireland and Hungary go kick-start dia World Cup 2026 qualification waka for Aviva Stadium, Dublin on Saturday evening. Both teams dey inside Group F with Portugal and Armenia.
Match Preview
Coach Heimir Hallgrimsson dey try carry Ireland go dia first World Cup since 2002. Him reign start shakily but recently e don balance well. Ireland only lose one of dia last six matches – na that 5-0 hammering against England for Nations League.
Dem beat Bulgaria 4-2 on aggregate to avoid relegation and later play friendly draws with Senegal (1-1) and Luxembourg (0-0).
Ranked 60th by FIFA, Ireland dey unbeaten for dia last three home games and don win dia last two meetings with Hungary for Aviva Stadium – including a 2-1 win last year. That one dey give dem extra confidence heading into this clash.
Hungary, wey dey ranked 22 places higher, no too dey shine lately. Since dem last lose to Ireland, dem only win three of dia last 14 matches (D4, L7). Dem crash out Euro 2024 group stage and even drop to Nations League League B after Turkey beat dem 6-1 on aggregate. Pressure full on coach Marco Rossi to change things, even though dem just collect small relief with 2-1 win over Azerbaijan in June.
Hungary dey still chase first World Cup qualification in nine attempts, but history no dey favor dem – dem never beat Ireland since 1969. The last five head-to-heads end with three draws and two Ireland wins.
Form Guide
Republic of Ireland (all competitions): W L W W D D
Hungary (all competitions): L D L L L W
Team News
Ireland striker Troy Parrott wey dey on hot form for AZ Alkmaar don withdraw through injury. Adam Idah (Swansea) fit lead the line, alongside Roma loanee Evan Ferguson.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu don return from knee injury, while Chiedozie Ogbene also dey back from Achilles wahala. New boys Bosun Lawal (Stoke) and Johnny Kenny (Celtic) fit debut, but likely from bench.
For Hungary, coach Rossi call four uncapped players – Daniel Lukacs, Rajmund Molnar, Barna Toth, and Bence Otvos. Liverpool stars Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez dey expected to start.
Szoboszlai don score 16 of Hungary’s last 54 goals and still dey hot after him free-kick winner for Liverpool vs Arsenal. Willi Orban dey expected for defense, while Barnabas Varga (10 goals in 11 for Ferencvaros) go lead attack.
Probable Lineups
Republic of Ireland XI: Kelleher; Doherty, Collins, O’Shea, Manning; Johnston, Cullen, Knight, Azaz; Idah, Ferguson
Hungary XI: Dibusz; Nego, Orban, Szalai, Kerkez; A. Toth, Schafer, Szoboszlai; Lukacs, Varga, Sallai
Prediction
Republic of Ireland 1-1 Hungary
History dey show say dis fixture dey tight – three of the last five meetings end 0-0. Ireland get home advantage but Hungary fit show improvement. Draw dey very possible.
