Scotland - Hungary predictions and free betting tips [23/06/2024]

On Sunday, June 23, at the 3rd round of the group stage of Euro 2024, the Scotland national team will face Hungary. While the "Tartan Army" has earned its first point and still maintains a decent chance of reaching the playoffs, the Hungarians, with a third failure, will be out of the tournament from the last place.

Predicted Lineups

Scotland: Gunn; Hendry, Hanley, McKenna; Ralston, McGregor, Gilmour, Robertson; McTominay, McGinn; Adams.  

Hungary: Gulácsi; Fiola, Orbán, Dárdai; Nego, A. Nagy, Schäfer, Kerkez; Sallai, Szoboszlai; Varga. 

Scotland

Despite not being considered favourites in the Euro opener against Germany, last Friday the Brits experienced a real nightmare, losing heavily to the tournament hosts 5-1. Such a fiasco could cost Steve Clarke's side dearly in the potential battle to be among the four best third-placed teams at this group stage. Fortunately, the blue-whites managed to hold off the Swiss in the second round last Wednesday (1-1). The "Tartan Army" took the lead in the 13th minute with a goal by Scott McTominay, but soon after, Xherdan Shaqiri capitalised on Anthony Ralston's error to fire a shot into the top corner. 

Nevertheless, with one point earned, the nominal hosts still lead their upcoming opponents in the standings and with a victory could take a step closer to the playoffs. In the qualifiers, the British team finished 2nd in their group, trailing Spain but ahead of Norway, Georgia, and Cyprus. Before the start of the continental tournament, the Scots managed only a modest victory over Gibraltar (2-0) and then drew with Finland (2-2). Interesting fact: the Scotland national team has won only two of the 11 matches played in the European Championship history.

Hungary

Hungary, on the other hand, arrived in Germany with a reputation as the "dark horse" capable of causing trouble for any opponent. But the team's ambitions took a severe blow in the first round: against Switzerland (1-3), Marco Rossi's charges played mediocrely, and their chances of reaching the playoffs significantly decreased. Last Wednesday, the tricolour team succumbed to the "Die Mannschaft" with a score of 2-0: already in the 22nd minute, Musiala scored, and in the second half, Gündoğan essentially killed off any intrigue. With no points earned, the Hungarians can now only hope for a miracle – to advance to the round of 16, they need to become one of the four best third-placed teams.

Interesting fact: Rossi's side has not won in eight last continental championship matches, and another failure this weekend will see them set an anti-record in this regard. In the qualifiers, the nominal visitors finished 1st in their group, ahead of Serbia, Montenegro, Lithuania, and Bulgaria. Before the tournament began, the Hungarians unexpectedly lost to Ireland (2-1) but then rebounded against Israel (3-0).

Head-to-Head

These teams have met nine times, with Hungary leading with four wins against Scotland's three. The last time the teams played in a head-to-head match was in 2018, and the "Tartan Army" came out on top with a minimal score (0-1).

Prediction for the match Scotland – Hungary

Hungary was unfortunate in the match against Germany, as the tricolour team missed several clear scoring chances. However, the chance to progress to the playoffs remains – to do so, they desperately need to take three points in the duel with the Scots. The blue-whites, although holding off Switzerland, did not look impressive in play – and the loss of Tierney will undoubtedly impact the emotional state of the players. I bet on the triumph of red-greens with a handicap of 0.

Prediction for total goals

The Hungarians possess a decent attacking line led by Szoboszlai and consistently scored two goals per game in the qualifiers. I bet on Hungary's individual total over 1 goal.