Hungary vs Ukraine — Tips & Analysis

Under 2.5: Ukraine arrive without a centre-forward, and that is the strongest reason to expect a quiet night. Artem Dovbyk and Artem Stepanov are injured, Oleksandr Andriyevskyi is out after appendicitis, and Roman Yaremchuk has a knee problem. Andrea Maldera takes charge for the first time with a front line he has never picked. Hungary are not built to blow a game open either. They have won one of their last seven home games and score barely more than a goal a game in them. Dominik Szoboszlai gives them a way through and their squad is reported fully fit, but this side grinds results out. Then there is the rust. Hungary have not played a competitive game in 313 days and Ukraine have waited 183. This is the first night of League B, and opening games between rusty teams are usually careful. A 1-1 looks the likeliest end, with Hungary pushing through their captain and Ukraine dangerous on the break but short of a finisher. That score is what we want. The doubt is real though. Hungary have had 3 or more goals in 8 of their last 14 games, and Ukraine in 9 of their last 15. Ukraine have also let in more than 2 goals a game in their away games. If this one opens up early, the quiet read is gone. We are still backing the tight game.