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The top football leagues across Europe make way for the return of the 2025 World Cup qualifiers. All the best teams are in action this weekend, including Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and France. With nations eager to get off to a winning start and take a positive step towards next summer's world championships in the United States, Canada and Mexico, entertainment is guaranteed.
Flashscore's talented team of football writers preview the standout fixtures, and you'll find in-depth predictions at Flashscore News under the betting tab. On this page, we focus on an intriguing showdown in Dublin where the Republic of Ireland welcome Hungary in Group F. With Portugal also involved in the pool and playing Armenia on matchday one, both the Irish and Hungarians understand the importance of claiming an early win.
The Boys in Green played the Magyars at the Aviva Stadium last summer. That friendly match ended in a dramatic 2-1 win for the home team thanks to a 90th-minute goal from Troy Parrott. Flashscore's football writer and betting expert Frank Monkhouse analyses the form of both teams, studies the stats, and flags up where to find the betting value.
Ireland v Hungary tips
Under 2.5 goals @ 7/10 (bet365)
Ireland 1-0 Hungary @ 7/1 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Irish to make home advantage count
The first of our three picks in Dublin on Saturday evening sees us take sides at the earliest opportunity. We're backing Ireland to secure all three points in a tricky test with an organised and experienced opponent. With Portugal expected to top the group and secure their spot at the World Cup, Group F appears to be a race for the best of the rest between the Irish and Hungarians. Home advantage will help ROI draw first blood.
The head-to-head stats add confidence to our pick, with Ireland securing a 2-1 win over Hungary at this venue just over a year ago. Adam Idah scored the opening goal that day, finding the net with just 36 minutes on the clock, before defender Adam Lang drew the sides level before the break. The half-time score told the story of a competitive contest, but Ireland found a way to win. With the game heading towards an uninspiring level finish, there was one final twist in the tale when Troy Parrott notched a winner at the death. A little too close for comfort, but everyone connected to the home dressing room would gladly accept another narrow win in this renewal.
Looking at Ireland's recent form, we see they're unbeaten in four, a run stretching back to November 2024 when they were thrashed 5-0 at Wembley Stadium in a painful UEFA Nations League match. Since that embarrassment, Ireland scored back-to-back 2-1 wins over Bulgaria before drawing with Senegal and Luxembourg in friendlies. The home team have the momentum, and I'm confident they'll make it count on matchday one.
Tip: Ireland win @ 17/10 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Ireland beats Hungary, your bet wins.
A competitive qualifier is expected
Hungary travel to Dublin hoping to win and end a rotten run of form. The visitors host Portugal on matchday two in midweek, increasing the pressure on them to beat Ireland. Lose here and fail to beat the Portuguese next week, and Hungary will find themselves already fighting against the tide to qualify. Can they beat Ireland? Of course. Will they beat Ireland? Their recent form and the H2H stats make them easy to oppose.
Hungary have won only two of their previous ten meetings with the Irish, with both coming in 1969. Since then, the visitors have drawn three and lost three. Interestingly, Marco Rossi's team have failed to find the net in four matches, with the aggregate score reading Ireland 6-2 Hungary. A bet on under 2.5 goals would've landed you a profit in half of the previous four meetings, and in four of six. That's enough to catch our eye and entice us to bet on this match producing three goals or fewer.
Moving away from the head-to-head charts and focusing on Hungary's form in the run-up to this qualifier, there's more to get excited about. The same bet on under 2.5 goals was a smart approach when Magyars lost 2-0 to Sweden in a recent friendly, and drew 1-1 with Germany in the Nations League. You can add our pick to your weekend accumulators and hope Ireland vs Hungary follows the form.
Tip: Under 2.5 goals @ 7/10 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Ireland vs Hungary ends with fewer than three goals scored by both teams combined, you'll be counting your profits.
Shoot for a correct score at big odds
Our third and final bet on the Emerald Isle is one for readers looking to target a big price win off a small stake. We're taking a chance on the correct score market, picking Ireland to beat Hungary by a 1-0 scoreline. Yes, we'll need our fair share of good fortune to get this wager home and hosed as a winner, but the odds offered are well worth the effort.
There has been one goal or fewer between these teams in each of the last four renewals and in five of six. That's also true in Ireland's previous four games in all competitions. With a competitive match expected and the usual tension that comes with the opening match of a qualifying campaign, we're picking Ireland to deny Hungary by one goal to nil.
Tip: Ireland 1-0 Hungary @ 7/1 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You want to see the scoreboard at full-time read Ireland 1-0 Hungary to land a bumper payout.
Ireland vs Hungary odds
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.