Hungary vs. Italy Betting Tips: Back hosts to book Nations League Finals place with a win

Hungary and Italy may both be absent from the upcoming 2022 World Cup, but the duo go head-to-head in Budapest on Monday night in a battle to finish top of Group A3 with the added incentive of a place in next summer’s Nations League finals up for grabs.

Below we bring you two tips for this top-of-the-table tussle…

Hungary, led by Italian manager Marco Rossi, head into the game top of the pile with 10 points from their five games so far, which includes superb back-to-back wins away to England and Germany. Avoid a defeat in their final game tonight and they’ll win the group.

Euro 2020 champs Italy kept their own hopes alive following a 1-0 win over England last week, meaning they must now beat Hungary at the Puskas Arena in order to secure 1st.

Italy have been installed as the even money favourites for this winner takes all duel, however Hungary have made a mockery of the odds during what has been an incredibly impressive showing in Group A3, with the hosts sure to tempt many at 16/5 for the victory. A draw can be found at 12/5, which would be enough for the Magyars to secure top.

Hungary have been simply outstanding so far. Underdogs in every game, they’ve done the double over England - including a 4-0 thumping at Wembley - and stunned Hansi Flick’s Germany in Leipzig last Friday. 

Hungary’s only group defeat so far was a narrow 2-1 loss in Italy, but now on the back of two outstanding wins and backed by their boisterous home support, they look well worth taking at a sizeable 16/5 to beat the inconsistent Italians.

Since winning the Euros, Roberto Mancini’s Italy have won just five of their following 15 games, with only one of those wins coming on the road (against Turkey). They’ve been beaten at home by North Macedonia, failed to reach the World Cup and suffered thumpings against both Argentina (0-3) and Germany (5-2).

Excellently organised and full of momentum, Hungary have made a habit of bursting the big team bubbles and have every chance of doing so again tonight.

Captain Adam Szalai pulls on the Hungary shirt for the final time tonight after announcing his plans to retire last week...we’ll have to wait and see whether his stance changes should Hungary make the Finals.

The veteran striker, 34, scored a spectacular winner in the 1-0 away to Germany, which condemned the DFB to their first defeat under Hansi Flick. If you’ve not seen the heel flick then check it out in the video below. What a stunner.

With 26 goals in 85 matches for Hungary, Szalai will be looking for one last hurrah against Italy as his country look to seal their place in the Nations League Finals next summer. As his goal against Germany showed, the 6ft 3in forward is capable of some sublime moments in front of goal and I full expect him to have a say in what is expected to be an emotional night for the player.

He’s a touch under evens to register a shot on goal, but I like the look of the 4/1 on offer with William Hill for the striker to have over 1.5 shots on target.