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Portugal welcome Hungary to Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon for a World Cup 2026 qualifier you can follow live from 19:45 BST. The locals are sitting pretty at the top of the pool, and followers are beginning to plan for a trip to 'We Are 26' in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They boast a 100% record from their opening three games and know another victory would put the race to bed. It's no surprise to see Roberto Martinez's team start as betting favourites to get the job done.
Hungary arrive in Lisbon as the second-best team in the pool after matchday three. The visitors are hoping to finish in the silver medal position and force themselves into a World Cup playoff, but understand an away win would blow Group F wide open. Hungary still have slim hopes of ending in pole position, but must leave Lisbon with all three points. Can the underdogs secure back-to-back wins and set up a grandstand finish? It would be foolish to write them off.
Flashscore's experienced football betting writer Frank Monkhouse offers his big-match preview and predictions. He's studied the stats and trends, focused on the head-to-head scores, cast his eye over the betting markets and finalised his predictions.
Portugal vs Hungary tips
2-4 match goals @ 4/7 (bet365)
Felix score anytime @ 7/5 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Hosts in control
Portugal have been impressive in World Cup qualifying so far. Martinez and his star-studded team enter matchday four sitting pretty on top of the group with three wins, nine points on the board, nine goals scored, and only two conceded. Their perfect tally means Lusos are already five clear of Tuesday's opponents, knowing an eight-point advantage would get them across the line in style. The home fans have every reason to be confident ahead of kick-off, but Martinez will ensure no one inside the dressing room looks beyond Hungary.
An opening day win over Armenia got Portugal off to a flying start. Victory was expected and widely predicted before the start, but Roberto's men deserve full credit for avoiding an early slip and getting the job. They thrashed the Armenians 5-0 on the road, with Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo bagging two goals each, the spare credited to Joao Cancelo. The Portuguese then beat Tuesday's opponents on the road, leaving Hungary with a 3-2 victory. Bernardo Silva, Ronaldo and Cancelo beat a double from Barnabas Varga.
With an 8-2 aggregate score in their first two matches, pundits picked another strong win for Portugal on matchday three when hosting the Republic of Ireland. They did win on Saturday, but needed a stoppage-time strike from Ruben Neves to get the result and avoid dropping two points. ROI pushed them hard, but Portugal found a way to win, and that never-say-die attitude is the calling card of a team high on confidence.
Tip: Portugal win @ 2/9 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Portugal beat Hungary, your bet wins.
Hungary must improve defensively
Hungary went agonisingly close to beating Portugal at home on matchday two, losing by the odd goal in five. Those in the away dressing room must show they have learned the lessons from that day, knowing only a victory will do here. The teams were level at the break and heading for a draw at the Puskas Arena, before Cancelo struck with 86 minutes on the clock.
Before that goalfest on matchday two, Hungary opened with an exciting draw in Dublin. Varga scored inside the opening two minutes of play, and Roland Sallai made it 2-0 before the interval. With 45 minutes to play, Hungary were in complete control, but disaster struck. The fighting Irish hit back soon after the restart, before Hungary were reduced to ten men. ROI made their numerical advantage count, getting level on stoppage time thanks to Adam Idah.
Hungary finally got off the mark at the third time of asking, beating Armenia 2-0 at the weekend. That scoreline means the visitors arrive having found the net six times in their previous three games, but they've conceded five in the same period. That suggests another action-packed evening is ahead. We're backing Portugal vs Hungary to provide between two and four goals. That bet would've landed against both Armenia and Ireland.
Tip: 2-4 match goals @ 4/7 (bet365)
Bet explanation: You need more than one goal but fewer than five in this match.
Trust Felix to score again
Our third and final bet is for Joao Felix to score anytime during this match. The 25-year-old attacker has two goals in three rounds for Portugal. He bagged a double in that impressive win over Armenia, putting him just one goal behind the team's current leading marksman, CR7. The home match against Hungary gives Felix another chance to grab the headlines, and I'm confident he'll deliver.
When following this prediction, the winning team and final score aren't important. As long as Felix finds the net, your bet wins. He could score from 25 yards in the opening 60 seconds of play or tap in a deflected winner with the final kick of the ball. It means the same for your bet. If the youngster gets amongst the goals, you'll be cheering a profit.
Tip: Felix to score @ 7/5 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Portugal's Joao Felix must score a goal at anytime during this match.
Portugal vs Hungary odds
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.