Match Overview
On Monday, Bosnia-Herzegovina will host Hungary in Zenica as both teams seek their first win in the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League. Bosnia is currently leading Group A3 with just one point from three matches, while Hungary is slightly ahead in third place with two points.
Match Preview
After their promotion to League A last season, Bosnia-Herzegovina is now facing the risk of an immediate return to League B. The Dragons kicked off their Nations League campaign with a disappointing 5-2 defeat to the Netherlands, followed by a goalless draw against Hungary in September. In their most recent match, Bosnia suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Germany, with Edin Dzeko scoring a late consolation goal after Deniz Undav’s brace put Germany in control.
Bosnia-Herzegovina is eager to secure their first win since October 2022, having lost eight of their last nine international matches. They are also seeking their first victory over Hungary in their last six encounters, a streak that includes the recent draw.
Hungary, on the other hand, finds itself in the relegation playoff spot after drawing two and losing one of their opening three matches. Their campaign began with a heavy 5-0 loss to Germany, followed by the draw against Bosnia and another disappointing stalemate with the Netherlands, where they conceded a late equalizer despite being a man up for the final ten minutes.
With only one win in their last six matches, Hungary will be looking to break their winless streak in their first away game against Bosnia since Euro 2008 qualifying in 2006.
Team News
Bosnia-Herzegovina will be without Adrian Leon Barisic and Ermedin Demirovic, both serving one-match bans due to yellow card accumulation. Stjepan Radeljic is expected to take Barisic’s place in defense, while Haris Tabakovic could step in for Demirovic. Ajax midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic is pushing for a starting position after impressing off the bench against Germany.
Hungary will miss the services of Loic Nego, Milos Kerkez, and Krisztofer Horvath, who withdrew from the squad due to injury. Endre Botka, who was introduced as a substitute in the last match against the Netherlands, may start in defense. Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai will captain the team and is expected to lead the attack alongside Roland Sallai and Barnabas Varga.
Possible Lineups
Bosnia-Herzegovina:
– Formation: 4-2-3-1
– Starting XI: Vasij; Gazibegovic, Radeljic, Katic, Kolasinac; Burnic, Gigovic; Huseinbasic, Tahirovic; Dzeko, Tabakovic
Hungary:
– Formation: 4-2-3-1
– Starting XI: Dibusz; Botka, Fiola, Orban; Bolla, Nikitscher, Schafer, Nagy; Szoboszlai, Sallai, Varga
Despite Bosnia-Herzegovina’s recent struggles and Hungary’s disappointing form, both teams are desperate for a win. Given their head-to-head history and the stakes of this encounter, it’s likely that they will cancel each other out once again, leading to a draw.
