Will Portugal secure early qualification for the final tournament?
On matchday 8 of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the USA, we take a look at Group F. Here, the big favorite for first place, Portugal, welcomes Hungary, and the tip on the hosts is rewarded with odds of just 1.20 by the bookmaker Bet-at-home. The two teams will also face Armenia and Ireland as further contenders for a place in next year’s final tournament. But after just three games, it is already becoming apparent that the “Selecao das Quinas” will probably be difficult to stop from qualifying directly for the World Cup.
With three wins from three games, the hosts have made an ideal start to the qualifiers and can secure top spot in the group with a win against their closest rivals this Tuesday. It would be the Iberians’ ninth appearance in a World Cup finals. Their best finish to date is third place, achieved in 1966. They currently have a five-point lead over Hungary. The battle for the playoff spot, meanwhile, promises to be an exciting duel.
The Magyars currently hold the best cards in their hands. With a balanced 1-1-1 record and four points to their credit, the red, white, and green are in second place behind their upcoming opponents. However, a defeat could see them slip to third place if there is a winner in the parallel game.
Portugal – Hungary Head-to-head record
The two teams have met a total of ten times, and the overall record is devastating for Hungary. The Magyars have suffered nine defeats and only picked up a single point. The last duel was the first leg of the qualifiers, with Portugal winning 3-2 in Budapest. Their only partial success came in 2016 with a 3-3 draw. However, there has been nothing to show for it in Portugal so far. We hope to see some goals again on Tuesday, as at least three goals have been scored in five of the last six encounters.
Portugal – Hungary Tip
The Portuguese are the team to beat in qualifying group F. They have already scored nine goals, more than any other team. Unsurprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo is his team’s most dangerous striker with three goals to his name. With only two goals conceded, the southern Europeans also have the best defense in their group. The hosts have been virtually unbeatable over the past twelve months. Of their last 13 matches, only the game in Denmark was lost 0-1, and we are optimistic that head coach Roberto Martinez’s team will also come out unscathed against Hungary.
For the visitors, the aim is to defend second place in the table. In an exciting three-way battle, the goal is to reach the playoffs for the World Cup finals. With six goals scored, the red, white, and green have averaged two goals per game so far. The defense has not always been solid, conceding five goals.
The home team is going into this race with confidence, knowing that they are in an excellent position in the table. A win will seal their qualification. Accordingly, the bookmakers see the reigning Nations League winners as clear favorites. But the visitors have to play their part to seek their chance to perhaps snatch a point.
The first game between these two teams saw five goals, and we expect another lively exchange of blows in the return leg. That’s why we think it’s worth placing a small bet on more than 3.5 goals in the match between Portugal and Hungary, with odds of 2.05 at the bookmaker Interwetten.
