Russia will be aiming to keep their unbeaten run in the 2020-21 Nations League going when they play host to fellow high-flyers Hungary in Group B3 on Wednesday evening.
The hosts drew 1-1 with Turkey in their most recent outing, whereas Hungary enjoyed a 1-0 victory over Serbia on Sunday evening.
Match preview
Russia would have been confident of making it three wins from three in the Nations League prior to taking on a Turkey side without a victory in the current tournament, but Stanislav Cherchesov's men had to settle for a draw in their third match of the 2020-21 edition.
Anton Miranchuk broke the deadlock for Russia, who went into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead, but Turkey restored parity through Kenan Karaman as both sides walked away with a share of the spoils.
Despite failing to extend their winning streak in the Nations League, Cherchesov's side are one point clear at the top of Group B3 having taken seven points from a possible nine thus far.
Russia trounced Serbia 3-1 in their first game of the new Nations League and they are now prepared to welcome a Hungary side whom they came out on top against in a five-goal thriller back in September to the VTB Arena.
In contrast, the visitors will endeavour to record their second victory in as many matches when they travel to Russia, with Hungary scraping a narrow 1-0 win over Serbia in the most recent round of fixtures.
Norbert Konyves struck the only goal of the game after 20 minutes for the Magyars, who now sit just one point behind Russia in the race for promotion to League A.
Marco Rossi's side also have a European qualifying playoff final with Iceland to look forward to in November, but for now, Hungary will be out for blood following their enthralling 3-2 defeat to Russia in September's Nations League fixtures.
Wednesday's game has all the makings of a tightly-fought affair, although Hungary have not shared the spoils in an international fixture since 2018 - winning nine and losing seven since then.
Including the 3-2 triumph last month, Russia have won five of their last six meetings with Hungary, with the Magyars winless against their midweek opponents since a 12-0 friendly victory in 1912.
Russia Nations League form: WWD
Russia form (all competitions): LWWWLD
Hungary Nations League form: WLW
Hungary form (all competitions): WLLWLW
Team News
Russia right-back Mario Fernandes has been forced to withdraw from the squad after returning a positive coronavirus test, meaning that Vyacheslav Karavayev can look forward to another start in defence.
Valencia winger Denis Cheryshev came off the bench in the draw with Turkey and will be holding out for a start here, as will Yuri Gazinskiy, with Cherchesov likely to freshen things up amid a demanding fixture schedule.
As for Hungary, Rossi will have to make do without two important players in the form of Peter Gulacsi and Roland Sallai, who have returned to Freiburg and RB Leipzig respectively to prepare for the return of the Bundesliga.
Furthermore, the visitors announced on social media that Szilveszter Hangya has withdrawn from the squad following minor injuries sustained against Serbia.
Adam Szalai should return to the starting lineup for this one after being named amongst the substitutes at the weekend, while Denes Dibusz is in line to replace Gulacsi in goal.
Russia possible starting lineup:
Shunin; Karavayev, Semenov, Kutepov, Zhirkov; Zobnin, Gazinskiy; Ionov, Miranchuk, Cheryshev; Dzyuba
Hungary possible starting lineup:
Dibusz; Orban, Lang, Attila Szalai; Nego, Nagy, Siger, Schafer; Kalmar; Szalai, Konyves
We say: Russia 2-0 Hungary
Hungary have lost a couple of key men prior to Wednesday's clash with an in-form Russia team who boast a remarkable record against the Magyars in recent times. Both teams have started the Nations League campaign well, but we expect the hosts to go four points clear at the top of Group B3 with a comfortable win on home soil.
