Hungaryvs
GeorgiaTwo sides with everything still to play for and nothing to separate them in the table. That is the situation heading into this Nations League Group 2 clash in Budapest, and it gives the fixture a real edge that neutral observers will appreciate. Hungary and Georgia are both sitting on a single point after two games, both desperate to avoid dropping further behind Ukraine and Northern Ireland. Lose here, and qualification panic sets in very quickly. Win it, and suddenly the picture looks entirely different.
There is also a fascinating tactical subplot. Hungary are a team built on structure and European experience, while Georgia carry the kind of individual brilliance that can unlock any defence on their day. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia versus a Hungarian back four? That alone is worth tuning in for.
Hungary vs Georgia Match Details
The game takes place at Puskas Arena in Budapest, one of the more impressive international venues in central Europe and a ground that gives Hungary a genuine home advantage. This is a UEFA Nations League Group 2, League B fixture, with both sides knowing that three points here could completely reshape their promotion hopes in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested group.
Team News
Neither side appears to be dealing with major absentee crises, but there are selection decisions worth watching on both sides of the pitch.
- Hungary could make a change in the number 10 role, with Alex Toth having done enough coming off the bench against Northern Ireland to push for a starting spot.
- Dominik Szoboszlai and Mikos Kerkez, the Liverpool pair, are expected to start and will be central to everything Hungary do going forward.
- Daniel Lukacs leads the line for the hosts and will be looking to get off the mark in this tournament after netting twice for the national side overall.
- For Georgia, Kvaratskhelia is fit and expected to start, which is the headline for their travelling support.
- Georges Mikautadze should again partner Kvaratskhelia in attack, and with 23 international goals to his name, he is a constant threat inside the box.
Predicted Lineups
Marco Rossi looks set to go with a structured midfield unit around Szoboszlai, with Schafer and Csongvai providing the engine room. The big call is whether Alex Toth gets the nod in the ten role after his cameo against Northern Ireland. On current form, it would be hard to leave him out.
Hungary: B Toth; Bolla, Orban, Csinger, Kerkez; Schafer, Csongvai; Jurek, A Toth, Szoboszlai; Lukacs.
Georgia under Ramaz Svanadze will likely set up with a back five that offers defensive cover while trusting Kvaratskhelia and Mikautadze to create and convert. Mamardashvili in goal remains one of the best keepers at this level, and his presence alone keeps Georgia in games.
Georgia: Mamardashvili; Kakabadze, Goglichidze, Dvali, Lochoshvili, Tsitaishvili; Kochorashvili, Kiteishvili, Chakvetadze; Mikautadze, Kvaratskhelia.
Recent Form
Hungary have not exactly hit the ground running in this Nations League cycle. A 1-0 defeat to Ukraine on home soil to open the campaign was a blow, even if Ukraine are likely to be the group’s strongest side. The goalless draw away to Northern Ireland at least stopped the rot, but it was the kind of result that tells you more about defensive solidity than attacking intent. Rossi’s side kept a clean sheet on the road, which is something, but they could not find a goal when they needed one.
It is worth noting that Hungary were in League A for the previous two Nations League tournaments before being relegated. Dropping into League B is a wake up call, and the pressure to bounce straight back up will be hanging over this squad all campaign. They need wins, and they need them soon.
Georgia’s start has followed a similar pattern. They lost 1-0 at home to Northern Ireland in their opener, which was a result that raised eyebrows given Georgia’s pedigree since their Euro 2024 adventure. The draw with Ukraine in their second game showed more resilience, but a team carrying the quality of Kvaratskhelia and Mikautadze should be scoring goals. Getting those two firing is the key challenge for Svanadze right now. Both sides, then, are searching for their first win of the group.
Head-to-Head Record
The head to head record between these two is minimal. They have met just twice before, and both of those games came during qualification for the 2022 World Cup. Georgia took the honours in one fixture, winning 3-1, while Hungary ran out comfortable 4-1 winners in the return leg on home turf. That is a pretty dramatic set of scorelines, and the fact that both meetings produced a healthy number of goals is worth keeping in the back of your mind.
Both previous encounters happened over two decades ago, so drawing too many firm conclusions from them would be unwise. What we can say is that when these two have met before, neither side has been shy about going for it, and neutral venues were not a factor since both games had a home side.
Key Stats
- Hungary have conceded 33 goals in 28 Nations League matches overall, suggesting they are not the most watertight side at this level.
- Kvaratskhelia has scored 23 goals in 52 international appearances, a return that puts him among the most dangerous forwards in European football outside the top tier.
- Mikautadze also has 23 international goals to his name, meaning Georgia’s forward line carries a combined threat that very few League B defences can take lightly.
- Hungary’s only Nations League points so far this cycle came from a goalless draw, while both of their previous H2H matches produced five or more goals combined.
Hungary vs Georgia Betting Tips
This is a genuinely tricky game to call on the result market. Two evenly matched sides, both needing points, and both capable of nicking something on the night. Where I think there is more clarity is in the goals and individual markets, particularly around the quality Georgia carry in their forward line and how Hungary have historically struggled to keep things tight over a full Nations League campaign.
Over and Under Goals Prediction
Given that both sides have been involved in low scoring games recently and neither has found the net freely in this campaign, under 2.5 goals has a strong case. However, the individual quality of Kvaratskhelia and Mikautadze makes me lean toward over 1.5 goals as the safer call. I would go with over 1.5 goals, expecting at least one side to find the net and a competitive game that produces a couple of moments of quality.
First Goalscorer Prediction
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the standout pick here. He is operating at the top of world football right now with PSG, he carries genuine pace and skill that can trouble any back line, and he is the player Georgia look to in the big moments. Georgia need a win badly, Kvaratskhelia knows it, and at odds that are likely to reflect his quality rather than his form for the national side, he looks a solid each way shout for first goalscorer.
Correct Score Prediction
With both sides needing to be cautious given the group situation, and considering how tight their recent games have been, a 1-1 draw feels like a very plausible outcome. Georgia have the quality to score, Hungary have enough about them at home to grab an equaliser, and neither side can afford to throw caution to the wind. A 1-1 scoreline reflects the competitive nature of this fixture without either manager gambling recklessly.
Cards Prediction
Both teams are under serious pressure, and games with genuine stakes at international level tend to produce a bit of edge in the midfield battles. Georgia’s midfield is physically competitive, and Hungary will be fighting for every ball in front of their home support. I would back over 3.5 cards in this one, with both sets of midfielders likely to push the limits in a must not lose situation for both camps.
Both Teams To Score (BTTS) Prediction
Yes. Georgia have the firepower to score against most defences in this league, and Hungary, despite their recent clean sheet against Northern Ireland, have conceded regularly enough over their Nations League history to suggest they will not keep things completely shut. With the quality that Kvaratskhelia and Mikautadze bring, Georgia will create, and Hungary will need to score to get anything from the game at home. Both teams to score yes looks the right call.
Corners Prediction
Hungary at home will push for a win and will look to get Szoboszlai and the wide players delivering into the box. Georgia, playing with a back five and fast forwards looking to break, will invite pressure at times. Expect Hungary to generate a healthy number of set piece situations. Over 9.5 corners appeals, with the home side’s natural tendency to attack and Georgia’s shape potentially conceding territory in the second half if the game is tight.
Bet Builder Tip
| Market | Selection |
|---|---|
| Both Teams To Score | Yes |
| First Goalscorer | Khvicha Kvaratskhelia |
| Cards | Over 3.5 cards |
A game with genuine tension, two sides who need to score, and an individual capable of producing the decisive moment makes this combination a logical one to build around.
Final Match Prediction
This is one of those fixtures where the table situation almost overrides the football. Both sides are desperate, neither can afford another point dropped, and that creates exactly the kind of nervous, scrappy game where individual quality ends up being the difference rather than tactical superiority. Georgia’s forward line is simply better than anything Hungary will have faced in this group, and Kvaratskhelia in particular has the ability to win a game on his own.
That said, Hungary at home in Budapest, with Szoboszlai pulling the strings and a crowd behind them, will make it hard for Georgia to dominate possession or dictate terms. A 1-1 draw feels right, both sides grabbing a goal, neither quite able to push on and take all three points. It keeps the group wide open and leaves everyone still in it heading into the second half of the campaign.
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