Austria – Hungary

Austria will take on Hungary in the Euro 2016 Group F opener and the entertaining Austrian side will feel this is a game they can and should win.

Austria’s form has been a bit shaky since the qualifying campaign ended, as they alternated wins with defeats in the friendlies played over the last months. Nevertheless, Austria remains a solid, high scoring side and they have been very impressive in the qualifiers. The Austrians easily won a difficult group with Russia and Sweden, posting an incredible 9-1-0 statline, so that speakes volumes about their strength.

Hungary has been rated as one of the worst 4 teams in the tournament prior to Euro 2016 along with Romania, Albania and Northern Ireland – but a case can be made that at least two of those sides are better than them. Hungary finished 3rd in a weak qualifying group behind Romania and Northern Ireland, but they pulled off an upset in the playoffs, defeating Norway 3-1 aggregate. However, it must be said that Norway bossed both of those games. The Norwegians had Barcelona – like stats in each of those meetings and only their lack of experience cost them qualification, as they were too wasteful in front of goal. But, all in all, Hungary reached Euro 2016 on its own merit, so they must not be taken lightly.

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Team news & lineups:

Top scorer Marco Janko is questionable for Austria, but he is expected to be in the starting lineup. Hungary will miss Lovrencsics, Kadar and possibly Nemeth.

Austria: Almer – Klein, Dragovic, Hinteregger, Fuchs – Baumgartlinger, Alaba – Harnik, Junuzovic, Arnautovic – Janko

Hungary: Kiraly – Fiola, Guzmics, Lang, Korhut – Gera, Nagy – Dzudzsak, Kleinheisler, Priskin – Nikolic

Hungary looked very poor in the qualifiers and there are many teams more deserving to be here, but fact is that Hungary reached Euro 2016 and they can`t be disregarded. They might not have great quality and might not play the best football, but one thing Hungary showed during the qualifier was resilience and fighting spirit. They fought for their chances, getting the most out of almost every match. Also, due to some good tactical consistency, Hungary proved itself pretty hard to defeat, losing just 3 times in the last 16 matches – though they did not quite meet top opposition.

As such, I don`t think this will be particularly easy for Austria, but I do believe they will win. This is a very good team with plenty of Bundesliga talent in its ranks. Austria is one of the potential dark horses in the tournament and their ability to score should prove decisive against a team like Hungary, which, all things being said, simply lacks quality. A clinical team like Austria will not be as wasteful as Norway was in the playoffs.

Austria is a deserving favorite ahead of this clash and even if it might be closer than the Austrian would want, I believe they have enough to snatch the three points in their Euro 2016 opener. My tip is Austria to win. Prediction: Austria – Hungary 2-1.

Pick: Austria
Odds: 1.84 @ Ohmbet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.72
Event date: 14 June