The last Euro2016 match to be played on Sunday is one nobody expected to be a last 16 clash when the tournament began. It sees Hungary taking on Belgium for the right to face Wales in the quarter final. Belgium were expected to go into the last 16 albeit not in this match but Hungary never were.
Hungary made it to this stage by surprising everyone and winning Group F while Belgium were only ever going to be runners up to Italy after their defeat to them in their opening match in the tournament.
Without a doubt Hungary are the surprise package at this tournament even allowing for the fact that a number of so called minnows have made it through to the knockout stages. To come through their group was a surprise in itself but to do so without losing a match was never more the case and they will fancy their chances now.
Hungary’s insistence to play on the front foot and look to cause danger in the opposition half has really fit in nicely with the group stage of this tournament but now comes the acid test to that philosophy and it will be interesting to see if they continue to be adventurous or whether the added pressure of the occasion sends them back into their shell.
Key Man
Hungary captain Balazs Dzsudzsak has been excellent in this tournament so far and if he can inspire his side in the attacking third of the pitch then Hungary might just get even more joy. His leadership is going to be important too. This is a match for a real captain’s knock.
Belgium came into the tournament ranked the second best side in the world but apart from 45 minutes against an unbelievably naïve Irish side they have shown nothing like that sort of status and if they are to win this tournament they will have to up their game a great deal on what we’ve seen so far.
That is perfectly possible of course but they look like a side lacking leadership to me. Vincent Kompany’s injury hasn’t just denied Belgium of one of the best defenders in the game but it has denied them a strong leader too. Now is the time for the senior players to really stand up and be counted.
Key Man
We’ve seen little or nothing of Eden Hazard so far in this tournament but now is the time for the stand in captain to stand up and be counted with his performance particularly in possession. He has set a goal up in the tournament but rarely has he got into the areas where he can make a significant impact. He has to start doing that from now.
Team News
Hungary rested the four players who were on a booking for their previous match but they should all return here which means Laszlo Kleinheisler, Kristztian Nemeth, Adam Nagy and Tadas Kadar should all start.
Belgium are expected to name an unchanged side from the one which beat Sweden to secure their place in this round although Moussa Dembele could come back into the side should he have regained full fitness.
Head to Head
Belgium have a very good record against Hungary through the years. They have won eight of the 12 matches they have played and you have to go all the way back to 1958 for the last of Hungary’s two wins. There have also been two draws. Matches between the two have generally been high scoring affairs although they’ve not met since 2009.
Betting
I’ve mentioned a few times how I don’t rate Belgium and having got lucky when taking them at odds on in the previous match I’m certainly in no hurry to take them again here at an even shorter price.
Hungary have been a breath of fresh air to watch in this tournament so far and every time you think they are hanging on they rebound and go again with some real character. I don’t think they are to be in any way overawed by the occasion here. They will be delighted to be here and there is absolutely no pressure on them so they can go out and express themselves.
I’m not going to predict the winner of this one although there is no denying the value is with Hungary but I like the overreaction to Saturday’s matches which has made the goal line for this game just 2 goals.
There has never been a meeting between these two that hasn’t had two goals and many of them have had a lot more and I fancy this one to be open enough to be quite high scoring too. I always thought the matches on Sunday would be a lot more open than Saturday’s and they’ve begun that way already.
I think this is a great line to get stuck into the overs on. Only one of the six matches the two have played in the tournament have been under 2 goals and that was when a draw suited Belgium. I’m on the overs here.
Tips
WON – Back Over 2 goals for a 4/10 stake at 1.96 with 188bet
Back it here:
