Monday's Nations League predictions: Underdogs Hungary can seal place in finals

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Monday's matches in the Nations League.

Where to watch

Hungary v Italy
Premier Sports 1, 7.45pm Monday

Montenegro v Finland
BoxNation, 7.45pm Monday

Best bets

Hungary or draw double chance v Italy
Premier Sports 1, 7.45pm Monday
2pts 17-20 Coral, Hills, Ladbrokes

Estonia to win to nil v San Marino
7.45pm Monday
3pts 3-4 BoyleSports

Stefan Mugosa to be first goalscorer v Finland
BoxNation, 7.45pm Monday
1pt 7-1 Betfair

Monday's Nations League preview

Hungary held France and Germany to draws in a tough group at Euro 2020 but even their most optimistic supporters could not have foreseen their success in Nations League Group A3.

Adam Szalai's deft backheel gave the 12-1 shots a 1-0 victory in Germany on Friday so they need just a point at home to Italy to seal top spot and a place in next year's finals.

Hungary did the double over England in June, winning 4-0 at Molineux on matchday four, and they were far from outclassed in their 2-1 defeat to Italy, who had six shots on target to their opponents' four.

The Azzurri beat England 1-0 in Milan on Friday in a game of few chances and that was only their third victory in their last ten internationals. That run includes a shock World Cup playoff defeat to North Macedonia, a 3-0 loss to Argentina at Wembley and a 5-2 rout by Germany, who led 5-0 after 70 minutes on matchday four of the Nations League.

Roberto Mancini's side will have to take risks as they chase maximum points in Budapest and that could be dangerous against a Hungary side who are full of belief after their recent results against Europe's top teams.

San Marino snapped an 18-game losing streak with a 0-0 friendly draw at home to the Seychelles last week but normal service should resume when they face Estonia in Group D2.

In June, Argentina's Lionel Messi scored all five goals in a 5-0 friendly win over Estonia but their defenders are set for an easier ride against San Marino.

The minnows have failed to score in six home Nations League matches against Luxembourg, Moldova, Belarus, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar and Malta, losing five of those games, and another defeat to nil is on the cards.

Bosnia have wrapped up top spot in Group B3 but second-placed Montenegro are aiming to end their campaign with a home win over Finland.

The game could offer an opportunity for Montenegro's Stefan Mugosa to add to his tally of 15 international goals in 43 caps. The forward opened the scoring in both of June's fixtures against Romania, going on to score a hat-trick in his side's 3-0 win in Bucharest, and Finland have kept only one clean sheet in their last nine matches.

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