Ireland vs Hungary: Match Prediction Preview, Lineups, H2h for September 7, 2025

On Saturday, the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup will kick off with Ireland facing Hungary at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. A bet on the number of goals in this match appears promising.

Match Preview

Ireland starts this qualifying campaign with confidence after finishing their last competitions well. The team, led by Heimir Hallgrímsson, avoided relegation from League B in the Nations League by winning against Bulgaria in the play-offs and remains unbeaten in their last four games. Although there have been a few draws, the squad shows a solid structure, and the return of key players boosts their chances.

Ireland feels strong at home, having not lost in Dublin for the past three games and previously defeating Hungary twice there. Although losing Troy Parrott affects their attacking options, Adam Idah and Chiedozie Ogbene’s return could help. Ireland hopes to start their campaign positively and demonstrate their goal of advancing from the group.

Hungary comes into this match looking to improve after a rough patch, recently celebrating a friendly win over Azerbaijan. Marco Rossi’s team has faced inconsistency, securing only three victories in their last 14 matches, getting eliminated from Euro 2024, and suffering a heavy loss to Turkey in the Nations League. However, with players like Szoboszlai and Orbán on the team, there is hope for better results ahead.

Away performances have been a struggle for Hungary, as they have won just two of their last eight away matches. Still, their attack, led by Varga and featuring promising talents like Lukacs and Toth, could be a surprise element. If Rossi balances the defense and attack well, his team can potentially earn points in Dublin and aim to start the qualifiers on a positive note.

Probable Lineups

• Ireland: Kelleher; Doherty, Collins, O’Shea, Manning; Johnston, Cullen, Knight, Azaz; Idah, Ferguson
• Hungary: Dibusz; Nego, Orbán, Szalai, Kerkez; A. Toth, Schäfer, Szoboszlai; Lukacs, Varga, Sallai

Match Facts & Head-to-Head

• Hungary hasn’t defeated Ireland in an official match since 1969.
• Three of the last five encounters between these teams ended in goalless draws.
• Ireland remains unbeaten at home in their last three matches.

Prediction

This match is expected to be cautious and competitive from both teams. Ireland will aim to leverage their home advantage, while Hungary can pose a challenge if focused. A low-scoring game seems likely, so our bet is on “Total under 2.5 goals” at odds of 1.65.