Scotland vs Hungary predictions: Clarke’s men set to fall short
- Scotland have won just one of their last 11 games, that win coming against Gibraltar
- Hungary have lost three of their last four internationals
- Recommended bet: Draw
Scotland need a win in their final Group A clash with Hungary to give themselves a chance of making the knockout stages in a major tournament for the first time.
Steve Clarke’s men were much improved in their 1-1 draw with Switzerland and arguably could have snatched all three points.
Meanwhile, having lost their first two matches, Hungary would need to collect the win and hope to improve their goal difference to stand any chance of qualification.
Team news
Scotland will be without key man Kieran Tierney in Stuttgart, after he was stretchered off in the second half against Switzerland.
The Arsenal defender suffered a hamstring problem and his participation in the knockout stages, should Scotland qualify, would also be in doubt.
Scott McKenna replaced Tierney as a substitute on Wednesday and is likely to be asked to fill the void from the start on Sunday.
Ryan Porteous is suspended after his red card against Germany, while Billy Gilmour is expected to keep his place in midfield after being handed a start against the Swiss.
Hungary are expected to make changes following their 2-0 defeat to hosts Germany in their second group game.
Midfielder Laszlo Kleinheisler was taken off just after the hour mark and was replaced by Adam Nagy. The Spezia player could be one of those asked to start against Scotland.
The stats
Scotland have scored in each of their last four matches, with two of their six goals going down as own goals.
Scott McTominay’s goal against Switzerland was the only first-half strike for Scotland in their last six internationals.
Barnabas Varga has scored Hungary’s last three goals, bagging in the 3-1 defeat to the Swiss and scoring twice in the 3-0 friendly win over Israel earlier this month.
The two teams have met just twice since the turn of the century, with one win apiece.
Prediction
Although Scotland were much better organised against the Swiss, they may be left to rue a missed opportunity in Cologne.
The loss of Tierney to injury is a major blow, with the former Celtic man one of their standout performers, especially in a defence that has been impacted by issues.
Hungary were fancied by many as a dark horse of the tournament prior to the opening games, but they have been disappointing so far.
Marco Rossi’s men had gone 14 games unbeaten prior to this summer, but a pre-tournament friendly defeat to the Republic of Ireland looks to have dented confidence.
They did register 11 shots in the defeat to Germany, but only four of those were on target, after only hitting the target twice against Switzerland.
Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai and Freiburg’s Roland Sallai were both tipped to have a big tournament, but have struggled to make an impact.
Although both teams need the win, a lack of confidence and injury issues as well as a struggle for goals could well lead to these two cancelling each other out.
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