England travel to face Hungary for the second time in less than a year on Saturday as they get their UEFA Nations League campaign underway.
This is the first of four Nations League fixtures in June for the Three Lions, with the lengthy international break coming right off the back of a gruelling club season for the players.
Gareth Southgate’s men face Germany and Italy in blockbuster encounters next week in Group A3, before playing the return fixture against Hungary on 14 June.
There were ugly scenes the last time England visited Budapest’s Puskas Arena in September 2021, with the Hungarians given a two-game spectator ban by FIFA as a result of racist abuse directed at the visiting players in a World Cup qualifier.
This game was due to be played behind closed doors as a result of a separate UEFA ban, but a loophole means as many as 30,000 schoolchildren are set to be in attendance.
Here’s everything you need to know about the clash.
When is kick off? Saturday 4 June, 17:00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Puskas Arena, Budapest
What TV channel is it on? Channel 4, All 4 (UK), Fox Sports, fuboTV (US)
Highlights? Channel 4, 21:45 BST
Who’s the referee? Artur Dias (POR)
Who’s the VAR? Tiago Martins (POR)
The hosts do not have any injury concerns heading into this clash.
17-year-old MTK Budapest striker Zalan Vancsa has earned a senior call-up and will surely be chomping at the bit to make an impression, while there are three other uncapped players in the squad.
As usual, their danger men will be Dominik Szboszlai, Rolland Sallai and Adam Szalai.
A pre-existing muscle problem means Arsenal centre-back Ben White has already left the England camp to continue his recovery with his club.
His Gunners teammate Emile Smith Rowe was left out of this squad and is with the Under-21s. Jordan Henderson has also been given time to rest by Southgate.
That decision suggests the England boss may not be keen to rush Trent Alexander-Arnold into action, with Liverpool’s club season only coming to an end in the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday.
While England will likely face another hostile atmosphere in Budapest, they should make light work of their opponents on the pitch.
Fatigue and the heat are likely to be the Three Lions’ biggest enemies, with temperatures of 29C anticipated in the Hungarian capital on Saturday.
Nevertheless, Southgates men should have enough in the tank to secure a victory in their first Nations League clash of the campaign.
Score prediction: Hungary 0-2 England
