Euros Warm Up: Hungary vs. Kosovo Match Preview

Hungary, the top team in their group, secured their place in Euro 2024. They will compete in an international friendly on Tuesday. They will host Kosovo at the Puskás Arena in Budapest.

The two teams are meeting for the first time in history, as the Hungarians are getting ready for their upcoming journey to Germany this summer, with aspirations of contending for the European Championship. 

Hungary vs. Kosovo: Form Guide

Hungary, who had previously been unsuccessful in qualification for the European Championships for over 40 years from 1976 to 2012, have now successfully qualified for their third consecutive Euros. They achieved this by finishing in first place in Group G during the Euro 2024 qualifying round, which concluded last year.

The Tricolours had a flawless qualifying campaign, winning all their matches and accumulating 18 points from eight games. They scored a total of 16 goals, finishing four points ahead of Serbia, who came in second place.

Since June 2022, Hungary has performed very well in all tournaments under the guidance of manager Marco Rossi. They have won nine, drawn five, and lost just two of their past 16 international matches, defeating strong opponents like Serbia (twice), England, and Germany.

Hungary, now ranked 27th in the FIFA global rankings, will play at home against Kosovo in a friendly meeting this Tuesday and will be confident in securing another win when they have not lost any of their past seven matches on their own turf.

Hungary: Previous 6 Matches 

Disclaimer: Hungary vs. Turkey (Friday, 22nd) isn’t reflected in the above records because the game hadn’t taken place at the time of writing.

Following their triumph against Israel in Pristina last year and Switzerland’s subsequent tie with Israel, Kosovo—a nation that has never made it to a big event like the European Championship or the World Cup—hoped to earn a ticket in next summer’s tournament in Germany.

Having drawn with Switzerland in November, Kosovo dropped to fourth place with 11 points. They were eight points behind leader Romania and six points behind second-place Switzerland, which was the last qualifying spot for Euro 2024.

Kosovo required a win over Switzerland and a final-round victory against Belarus to qualify, hoping that Romania would also beat Switzerland. Visiting Hungary this weekend might be seen as little more than an early Spring break since these excessive expectations didn’t materialise.

Kosovo has been coached by Primoz Gliha twice since July 2023. In his first six matches in command, the team has won twice, drawn twice, and lost twice. The 56-year-old is looking forward to leading the country to its first big tournament in the future, maybe aiming for the redesigned World Cup in 2026.

This squad has, however, avoided losing two consecutive games since they faced Greece and Ian Baraclough’s Northern Ireland in June and September 2022. Back-to-back draws with Switzerland during the Euro qualifiers weren’t bad results either.  

Kosovo: Previous 6 Matches 

Hungary vs. Kosovo: The Betting Odds  

Hungary 4/7 

Draw 14/5 

Kosovo 4/1 

Unsurprisingly, the bookmaker’s odds have sided with Hungary to come out triumphant in this friendly meeting on Tuesday night. And you might be enticed by their free betting offers and enhanced odds for this international friendly. Still, we should remain diligent whenever wagering on friendly games due to their lack of competitiveness.

Hungary vs. Kosovo: Prediction  

Ultimately, we have one squad with an impressive record home record that should enter in a buoyant mood ahead of the Euro 2024 competition and another team that’s likely licking its wounds following a painful exit from the same competition qualifiers.   

We can expect Marco Rossi to play around with his Hungary squad in hopes of finding the perfect unit for the Euros in Germany. However, despite this factor presenting itself as a risk, it’s difficult not to back the home side in keeping their impressive record at Puskas Arena intact. 

Kosovo hasn’t won any of their three most recent away trips, and we can expect this rough patch to continue against the Magyarok. I wouldn’t, however, expect a plethora of goals, as is with most friendly international meetings.  

Hungary vs. Kosovo Best Bet: Hungary Win @ 4/7

Hungary vs. Kosovo Best Betting Value: Under @ 4/5 

Hungary vs. Kosovo Score Prediction: 2-0