Prediction Republic of Ireland vs Hungary 2026 – Betting Tips for the WC Qualification Europe on 06/09/2025

Match preview: Aviva set for a tight European qualifier

Republic of Ireland welcome Hungary to the Aviva Stadium on 06/09/2025 in what promises to be a heated Group Stage clash in the WC Qualification Europe. The Dublin crowd — capacity just over 55,000 — will be hoping to see their side build on a mixed but resilient run of results. Ireland arrive with recent draws against Luxembourg and Senegal bookending two wins over Bulgaria earlier in the year, and they hold the upper hand in the most recent head-to-head, a 2-1 friendly victory back in June 2024.

Hungary travel north in search of consistency. Their summer form is patchy: an encouraging 2-1 victory away to Azerbaijan was balanced by defeats to Sweden and a pair of heavy losses to Turkey in March. There were signs of quality, however, highlighted by a standout performance in the Azerbaijan game where Dominik Szoboszlai earned a superb rating of 9.11. That kind of individual brilliance can turn a tight qualifier, but Hungary’s results suggest lapses at both ends of the pitch that Ireland will look to exploit.

Form lines and what they tell us

Ireland’s recent sequence reads as a blend of grit and occasional fragility — draws against resilient opponents and two convincing 2-1 wins in March show a side capable of doing the right things in attack and defense on their day. They also know how to grind out results away from the spotlight, with goalkeepers and defenders standing up in big moments; Max O’Leary was highlighted as Republic of Ireland’s best performer in their last friendly with a 7.57 rating, suggesting the hosts have reliable last-line contributions to rely upon.

Hungary’s form sheet paints a picture of a team that can produce moments of class but struggles for consistency. Their summer win offers encouragement, but losses against Sweden and Turkey reveal defensive vulnerabilities. The visitors will lean on Szoboszlai’s influence to supply creativity and the occasional match-winning moment, yet bridging the gap in Ireland’s home atmosphere will require a disciplined defensive shift that their recent results don’t consistently promise.

Prediction and outlook

This one is likely to be tight and competitive, but home advantage and recent head-to-head momentum tilt the scales. Expect a contest defined by structured defending from Ireland and Hungary looking to hit on transitions through Szoboszlai. Given the balance of form and the backdrop of the Aviva, the sensible call is for the Republic of Ireland to edge this tie.

Betting suggestion

Back Republic of Ireland to win (1) in the 1X2 market.