Ireland vs Hungary Predictions, Betting Tips and H2H 06/09/2025

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The Republic of Ireland welcome Hungary to Aviva Park in a big World Cup Qualifying clash on September 6th. The Boys in Green are hopeful of a runner-up finish in Group F, and Hungary will be their main rivals. 

Ireland has an excellent record against Hungary and defeated Marco Rossi’s side last summer. Can they continue their undefeated streak in front of a home crowd, or will Hungary shock them in Dublin?

Ireland vs Hungary Predictions

Score prediction: Ireland 2-0 Hungary

One of our best soccer predictions this week is for Ireland to continue their strong form with a win over Hungary at the Aviva Stadium. Heimir Hallgrímsson has been enjoying life with the Boys in Green after a shaky start. His side is unbeaten in five of their last six, including back-to-back wins over Bulgaria. Hungary have been poor in that same stretch, winning just one of their previous six and losing four. Their record against Ireland is also poor, having not beaten the Irish since 1969.

Hallgrímsson’s tactical flexibility has been his biggest strength during this run of form. He is pragmatic in his approach, taking each game head-on rather than drilling his players into a particular style of play. The former manager of Iceland and Jamaica is experienced in international football and knows what it takes to grind out results for an underdog nation.

Against Hungary, Halgrimsson will instruct his players to stay compact out of possession and hit quickly on the counter. They will use the creativity of Finn Azaz and Jason Knight to stretch the visitors. With home support behind them, Ireland should be able to dictate the tempo and keep Hungary pinned back for long spells. 

Up front, Ireland has the edge in quality. Evan Ferguson is already one of the brightest young strikers in Europe, while Troy Parrott has shown his ability to link play and make dangerous runs in behind. That combination gives Hallgrímsson’s side both a physical presence and a technical outlet in the final third. Hungary’s options, Dominik Szoboszlai’s support aside, lack the same cutting edge. Roland Sallai is industrious, and Barnabás Varga offers aerial threat, but neither carries the same all-around danger as Ferguson and Parrot. On paper, Ireland’s attacking duo looks far more likely to decide the game.

While Ireland has a balanced squad, Hungary have players who can decide tight games. Szoboszlai is the best player on the pitch in terms of pure ability. He is creative, hardworking and has an excellent strike, especially from dead balls. If this game is tight, the Liverpool midfielder is someone who can change the game. The Boys in Green must keep him under control and mark him out of the game, stopping any attacks from going through him. 

Hungary will probably set up to frustrate Ireland rather than go toe-to-toe. Marco Rossi has leaned on a compact defensive structure. His side sits deep and hits on the break. Their striker will act as a target man, holding the ball up and bringing others into play, while their wing-backs provide the width when they do get forward. It’s a system built on discipline and counter-attacking moments, but with confidence low after a poor run of results, it’s hard to see them dictating the tempo in Dublin.

Overall, Ireland should have enough to get the job done thanks to their balance across the pitch, greater attacking quality, and the boost of home advantage. Hallgrimsson’s side looks more organised and confident than Hungary right now, and with Ferguson leading the line, they carry a cutting edge that the visitors simply lack. That said, Hungary still have threats and Ireland will need to stay disciplined to avoid being punished. If they can limit Hungary’s danger men, the Boys in Green should come through with a deserved win.

Players to Watch

• Evan Ferguson (Striker, Ireland): Still only 20, Ferguson has quickly developed into one of the most exciting young strikers in European football. Leading the line for Brighton and now Ireland, he offers a rare mix of power, movement, and finishing ability. That early promise leads many to believe he can be one of the best Irish strikers of all time. His presence alone gives defenders headaches, as he can bully centre-backs but also drift into pockets of space to link play. Against Hungary’s deep-lying defence, Ferguson’s ability to find half-chances and make them count could prove decisive. If he gets service from Jason Knight or Finn Azaz, he’s more than capable of deciding this game.

• Dominik Szoboszlai (Midfielder, Hungary): The Liverpool midfielder is Hungary’s talisman and most technically gifted player. Everything in attack runs through him, whether it’s threading a killer pass, carrying the ball forward with purpose, or testing goalkeepers from distance. His set-piece delivery is a constant weapon, and if Hungary are to frustrate Ireland, they’ll need Szoboszlai to provide the spark. Marking him out of the game will be a key task for Hallgrimsson’s midfield. If he’s given time and space, Szoboszlai can tilt the balance in Hungary’s favour with a single moment of brilliance.

Ireland vs Hungary Betting Tips

• Match Result – Ireland to win: Ireland are on a strong run right now, unbeaten in their last four. Hungary have struggled and just about got over the line in a subpar performance against Azerbaijan in their previous outing. Halgrimsson’s side has the home advantage and can claim a big win as they hunt for second place in World Cup Qualifying Group F. A bet on Ireland is worth 6/4.

• Over/Under – Under 2.5 goals: Halgrimsson has guided Ireland to some solid defensive displays at home. Hungary have struggled to find the net, scoring just four goals in their previous six games. This will probably be a game of fine margins, with Ireland winning by no more than two goals. Anyone betting on the over/under should take the under here, worth 5/8 with our online sportsbook.

• Player to Score – Troy Parrott: Troy Parrott has had a storming start to the Eredivisie season, scoring three in two games. He will be favourably priced to find the net again for anyone betting on football. With defences focused on keeping Evan Ferguson quiet, Parrott should find space to exploit, and his sharp finishing makes him great value to find the net again in Dublin. Parrott also scored against Hungary in this meeting last June.

Ireland vs Hungary Head-To-Head and Key Stats

These sides last met in June 2024. Ireland stunned Euro-bound Hungary with a dramatic 2-1 win at the Aviva Stadium, ending Hungary’s 14-game unbeaten run. Adam Idah headed Ireland into the lead just before halftime from a precise Will Smallbone free-kick. Hungary responded swiftly through Ádám Lang, who capitalised on a set-piece flick shortly after. 

The second half remained cagey until late in the day, when Troy Parrott broke forward to net a stoppage-time winner with a composed low finish past the keeper from close range. The result marked interim boss John O’Shea’s first win in charge and sparked jubilant celebrations, while Hungary were left to lament missed opportunities and late defensive lapses.

Ireland Recent Form

The Republic of Ireland were left frustrated after a 0-0 away draw with Luxembourg in their last fixture back in June. Max O’Leary made his long-awaited senior debut in goal, while Killian Phillips earned his first start. The hosts threatened early, with Gerson Rodrigues going close before O’Leary denied Danel Sinani’s curling strike. Ireland’s best first-half chance came when Dara O’Shea’s header found Nathan Collins, but his effort rattled the post.

Ireland pushed harder after the break. Kasey McAteer fired wide before seeing a golden chance blocked in a goalmouth scramble. Troy Parrott later chipped home but was ruled offside. The closest Ireland came was in the 87th minute, when substitute Jack Taylor’s strike cannoned off the bar with the keeper beaten. Jason Knight impressed in midfield, while John Joe Patrick Finn made a late debut. Despite their dominance, Ireland could not find a breakthrough.

Hungary Recent Form

Hungary edged a hard-fought victory over Azerbaijan with a 2-1 win at the Liv Bona Dea Arena in Baku. The visitors struck first through Barnabás Varga, who headed home a well-placed cross in the fifth minute. Hungary extended their lead in the 33rd minute when Dominik Szoboszlai unleashed a thunderous strike from distance, drilling the ball into the net. Azerbaijan answered early in the second half, with Renat Dadashov capitalising on a swift attack to pull a goal back in the seventh minute. 

From that point, the hosts pressed for an equaliser, but Hungary stood firm and saw the game out, despite late pressure and a tense finish. The result showcased Szoboszlai’s class and Hungary’s resilience on the road, while Azerbaijan will rue missed chances in a spirited performance that ultimately fell short.