The Matchday 8 clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers between Portugal and Hungary will take place on October 14 at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. Portugal vs. Hungary: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Portugal
The team has maintained a perfect record in the current World Cup qualifiers, though their performances haven't always been convincing. Portugal looked truly confident only in their opening away match against Armenia (5-0). In subsequent encounters against Hungary and Ireland, they secured narrow victories, with decisive goals scored in the dying moments. Nonetheless, Portugal leads the group with a five-point advantage. A win against Hungary, coupled with Armenia failing to defeat Ireland, would see Roberto Martinez's side secure an early World Cup berth.
- Portugal's winning streak in World Cup qualifiers stands at five matches.
- The team has scored in 21 consecutive home matches in this tournament.
- At least two goals have been scored in 10 of Portugal's last 12 World Cup qualifying games.
Projected lineup for Portugal (4-2-3-1)
Diogo Costa Pinto – Diogo Dalot, Renato Veiga, Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes – Vitinha, Ruben Neves – Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto – Cristiano Ronaldo.
Forward Rafael Leao and defender Goncalo Inacio will miss the game due to injuries.
Hungary
The team had an unconvincing start to the qualifiers, earning just one point from their first two matches against Ireland and Portugal. However, Marco Rossi's side bounced back with an important home win over Armenia last Saturday, moving them up to second place in the group. To keep their hopes for the top spot alive, Hungary needs at least a draw in Lisbon. Notably, Hungary's scoring streak in World Cup qualifiers now extends to six games.
- Both teams have scored in five of Hungary's last seven away World Cup qualifying matches.
- Marco Rossi's side has conceded at least one goal in nine of their last 11 games in this tournament.
- Hungary has won with a handicap (+1.5) in their last nine World Cup qualifying matches.
Projected lineup for Hungary (4-2-3-1)
Balazs Toth – Roland Sallai, Willi Orban, Attila Szalai, Milos Kerkez – Callum Styles, Andras Schafer – Bendeguz Bolla, Dominik Szoboszlai, Zsolt Nagy – Barnabas Varga.
Defender Roland Sallai and forward Barnabas Varga may return to the lineup after serving suspensions.
Referee
Srdjan Jovanovic (Serbia)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 16;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.7;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 17%.
Portugal vs. Hungary: Match Prediction
In the current qualifiers, Portugal has secured the maximum nine points, but in their last two matches, Roberto Martinez's side could have slipped had it not been for late winning goals. The team often lacks resilience, evidenced by the fact that they have won by a margin of three goals in only one of their last seven World Cup qualifying matches. Even in home games in this tournament, Portugal has achieved a big win only once in their last eight, against Luxembourg.
Hungary is often seen as the clear underdog, but this resilient team is unlikely to give up without a fight. Marco Rossi's side has avoided defeat in five of their last six World Cup qualifying matches (three wins, two draws), and they have not suffered a heavy loss in their last nine games in this tournament. Additionally, Hungary has earned at least one point in five of their last six away World Cup qualifying matches, with their only loss being a narrow 0-1 defeat.
In my view, the visitors should also avoid a heavy defeat this time. Prediction – Hungary with a handicap (+2.5)
