Northern Ireland vs Hungary prediction, betting tips, odds and probable lineups. Explore top bet builder picks and match analysis ahead of this clash.
Northern Ireland vs Hungary Match Summary
Competition | UEFA Nations League B |
|---|---|
Match Date | Monday 28 September 2026 |
Match Time | 19:45 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Belfast, Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park |
Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) | BBC 1 Northern Ireland, BBCi |
Windsor Park hosts a Nations League B tussle as Northern Ireland welcome Hungary, both sides fresh from contrasting opening results in Belfast on Monday night. Our Northern Ireland vs Hungary prediction leans towards a tight, low-scoring affair.
Northern Ireland arrive on a high after Shea Charles struck in the 99th minute to secure a 1-0 win away at Georgia in Tbilisi, a rare and well-earned three points on the road.
Hungary, the group's top seeds, come in stung by a 1-0 home defeat to Ukraine at the Puskás Aréna, a result that ended a four-match unbeaten run for the visitors.
This is a chance for Michael O'Neill's men to land a scalp against a side full of players operating at the top level across Europe, with three points putting real daylight in the table.
Northern Ireland vs Hungary Form
Northern Ireland opened their campaign with a 1-0 away win at Georgia, Shea Charles firing home a 99th-minute volley. Goalkeeper Pierce Charles kept the clean sheet, saving a 65th-minute penalty from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. That said, O'Neill's side have won just two of their last five outings, so momentum is patchy despite that headline result.
Hungary slipped to a 1-0 home defeat against Ukraine, conceding a 42nd-minute header to Danylo Sikan despite bossing the game with 17 shots and 57% possession. That loss halted a four-match unbeaten run. Daniel Szoboszlai remains the man who makes them tick, and they carry the greater individual quality into Belfast.
Northern Ireland vs Hungary Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Northern Ireland: Dan Ballard (Injured/out), A. McCann (Injured/out)
Hungary: Barnabás Varga (Injured/out)
Northern Ireland
Centre-back Dan Ballard suffered a hamstring injury against Georgia and misses out in gameweek two, with Norwich's Ruairi McConville expected to slot into the back line. Aaron McCann is also sidelined through injury, leaving O'Neill to reshuffle at the back.
Hungary
Striker Barnabás Varga is Hungary's only notable injury concern for the trip to Northern Ireland. That absence up top could open the door for Donát Bárány to come in for Daniel Lukács in attack.
Northern Ireland vs Hungary Predicted Lineup
Northern Ireland
Formation: 4-1-4-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: P. Charles; T. Hume, C. Brown, R. McConville, T. Atcheson; S. Charles; J. Devenny, I. Price, E. Galbraith, P. Kelly; J. Donley
Hungary
Formation: 4-3-1-2
Predicted Starting Lineup: B. Tóth; M. Kerkez, M. Csinger, W. Orbán, B. Bolla; A. Schäfer, M. Vitális, Á. Csongvai; D. Szoboszlai; D. Bárány, D. Redzic
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Northern Ireland vs Hungary Key Stats & Match Facts
Northern Ireland recorded their first-ever away victory in UEFA Nations League history with that 1-0 win at Georgia.
Hungary registered 17 shots and controlled 57% possession in their 1-0 home defeat to Ukraine.
Hungary's loss to Ukraine halted a four-match unbeaten run for the visitors.
Shea Charles struck in the 99th minute to win it for Northern Ireland in Tbilisi.
Pierce Charles saved a 65th-minute penalty to keep his clean sheet against Georgia.
Northern Ireland vs Hungary Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: This has the makings of a stubborn, cagey contest. Hungary carry the greater quality with Szoboszlai pulling the strings, and while Northern Ireland will be organised at home, we favour a narrow away edge. The Northern Ireland vs Hungary Northern Ireland vs Hungary betting odds point to a low-scoring 0-1 result.
Best Bets
Back 'No' in the Both Teams To Score market for Northern Ireland against Hungary. These are two nations that tend to contest tight, low-scoring encounters. With Northern Ireland missing centre-back Dan Ballard and Hungary travelling without main striker Barnabás Varga, both attacks look blunted, so one clean sheet feels well within reach.
Back Under 2.5 Goals in the Total Goals Over/Under market. Fixtures at Windsor Park are typically compact defensive battles, and with both sides missing forwards this shapes up as another grind. Our Northern Ireland vs Hungary best bets lean firmly towards a low-goal outcome here.
Northern Ireland vs Hungary Bet Builder
Our four-leg Northern Ireland vs Hungary bet builder tips pair a Hungary win with Daniel Lukács to score anytime, No in Both Teams To Score, and Brodie Spencer to be shown a card.
Hungary are the group's top seeds and carry the greater individual quality, so backing the visitors to edge this on the road makes sense despite their opening slip.
With Varga sidelined, Daniel Lukács is a genuine option to lead the line, giving the anytime goalscorer leg a real route to landing for the away side.
Both sides are missing key forwards and these teams tend to play out tight affairs, so No in the Both Teams To Score market fits the expected pattern.
In a physical, defensively demanding contest at Windsor Park, Brodie Spencer to pick up a card reflects the discipline this kind of scrap tends to draw.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 21/1 and is as short as 17/1 elsewhere.
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Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Northern Ireland vs Hungary Talking Points
Michael O'Neill has been clear-eyed about the task, noting that top seeds Hungary "have got some very good players who play at the top level across Europe, so the game will be a great challenge," while adding "it would be a good scalp if we were able to take it." The buzz around the home camp is understandable after that 99th-minute winner in Tbilisi, with captain Trai Hume providing the assist for Shea Charles's decisive strike. Hungary, meanwhile, will want a swift response after their opening defeat, and with Szoboszlai the standout threat this shapes up as a proper test of Northern Ireland's resolve at Windsor Park.
Northern Ireland vs Hungary Predictions FAQs
When is the Northern Ireland vs Hungary UEFA Nations League game?
The match takes place on Monday 28 September 2026, kicking off at 19:45 UK time.
Where is Northern Ireland vs Hungary being played?
The match is being played at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast.
Where can I watch Northern Ireland vs Hungary?
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC 1 Northern Ireland and BBCi.
What competition is Northern Ireland vs Hungary in?
Northern Ireland vs Hungary is a fixture in the UEFA Nations League.
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