The 2016 European Championship winners welcome Hungary to the Estadio da Luz as they look to strengthen their grip on a place in next summer’s World Cup finals in Russia. Both teams are showing early signs that they have the potential to qualify from Group B as Portugal sit in 2^nd while Hungary are one place below 3^rd. Switzerland are the only nation above them in their group with 3 more points than Portugal and 5 points more than Hungary.

STATS

• Portugal would have probably wanted to be in a better position after 4 games in this group as they sit second with 3 wins and 1 loss to league leaders Switzerland. They’ll hope to put pressure on the leaders with a win over Hungary after hopefully showing the form they showed at the Euros.
• Hungary won’t be too displeased with how they’ve performed in their first 4 games as they have won 2, drawn 1 and lost 1 also against Switzerland. After a 3-3 draw with Portugal at the Euros last summer so they know they’ve got what it takes to score past the European champions.
• 99% of football could guess Portugal’s top scorer in their first 4 games and they’d be correct in saying it’s Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s scored a massive 7 goals in just 4 games including 4 against Andorra! Hungary will need to keep him quiet.
• Hoffenheim striker, Adam Szalai is Hungary’s top scorer in the group so far with 4 goals in as many games. However, his 2 goals against Switzerland weren’t enough to win his side the game.

HEAD TO HEAD

Hungary have never beaten Portugal in an international match and since 2000, they have lost 4 of their games against Portugal with their draw last summer being their best result. Their 3-3 draw at the Euros will give them hope of beating the hosts.

PORTUGAL NEWS

Portugal will be very confident of taking all 3 points against Hungary and putting some pressure on Switzerland in top spot and with a fully available squad, they have a huge chance of winning the game. With Cristiano Ronaldo available, they’re capable of beating any national side and they showed that even without him, they could beat France in the Euros final. Pepe missed Real Madrid’s last game against Athletic but should be ready to play against Hungary.

Latest matches: Portugal

13.11.2016	Worl	Portugal	Latvia	4:1	W
10.10.2016	Worl	Faroe Islands	Portugal	0:6	W
07.10.2016	Worl	Portugal	Andorra	6:0	W
06.09.2016	Worl	Switzerland	Portugal	2:0	L
01.09.2016	Inte	Portugal	Gibraltar	5:0	W

HUNGARY NEWS

Hungary will have to be on top of their game to beat Portugal in front of their own fans and have a good chance of doing that with their strongest team available at the home of the Euro champions. Their task won’t be easy but will be made much easier with a fully available team and with Adam Szalai in great form for them, he should cause the Portugal defence some problems.

Latest matches: Hungary

15.11.2016	Inte	Hungary	Sweden	0:2	L
13.11.2016	Worl	Hungary	Andorra	4:0	W
10.10.2016	Worl	Latvia	Hungary	0:2	W
07.10.2016	Worl	Hungary	Switzerland	2:3	L
06.09.2016	Worl	Faroe Islands	Hungary	0:0	D

SUMMARY

Portugal are massive favourites going into this game but we all know how poor they can be when they’re not performing as a team. At the same time, they can be electric when they perform as team and while Ronaldo is the main man, he has a brilliant team around him. Hungary have a chance of victory but they’ll have to be right on it while Portugal will need to be poor. It would be silly to expect a Hungary win but it certainly isn’t impossible.