Overview
Since taking over as head coach of the Armenia team in August, Yegishe Melikyan has gone through 4 World Cup qualifiers with a record of 1 win and 3 losses.
The defeat to Hungary was followed by a narrow 0-1 loss to the Republic of Ireland. Tigran Barseghyan was sent off after a head-to-head before Evan Ferguson scored the only goal in Dublin.
Ukraine has never qualified for a major international tournament, and their chance of reaching the 2026 World Cup is extremely slim. However, a surprise win over Hungary could see them rise to second in Group F, a play-off spot, if Ireland do not beat Portugal.
In the last 8 international matches, Armenia have only had 1 win (1 draw, 6 losses). However, that only win was a 2-1 win over Ireland at home in September, ending a run of four consecutive defeats at home.
On the Hungarian side, Marco Rossi's team is unbeaten in the last 3 away matches (1 win, 2 draws), including two 2-2 draws against Ireland and Portugal in the World Cup qualifiers.
In the fourth round, Hungary almost lost to Portugal, but captain Dominik Szoboszlai scored a spectacular equalizer in the 91st minute, bringing home a valuable point in Lisbon.
Hungary - runner-up of the 2018 and 1954 World Cups - is aiming to reach the final round for the first time in 40 years. And a victory over Armenia would secure second place in Group F as well as a place in the play-off for them, if Ireland did not beat Portugal.
Ranked 37th in the world by FIFA, Hungary is confident in their chances of winning. In the most recent meeting with Armenia, Hungary controlled the ball up to 76% and only allowed the opponent to have 3 shots on target.
Personnel situation
Armenia will be missing two key players in the upcoming match as Ugochukwu Iwu and Vahan Bichakhchyan are sidelined through injury. Meanwhile, Tigran Barseghyan is suspended for 3 matches after a red card in the previous round.
At the age of 33, Lucas Zelarayan, who was in Melikyan's squad last month, has decided to retire from international football for personal reasons.
Karen Muradyan, one of four players in his 30s for the team, will compete with Eduard Spertsyan in the centre-back position. Meanwhile, Grant-Leon Ranos of Borussia Monchengladbach could be tasked with leading the attack.
On the Hungarian side, Daniel Lukacs and Zsombor Gruber are competing for a starting spot after scoring in the first leg against Armenia. However, Barnabas Varga, who is in impressive form with 18 goals in 22 matches for Ferencvaros, will likely be given priority to start in the striker position instead of Lukacs.
Szoboszlai - one of Hungary's best players at the moment - is expected to take up the midfield role. The Liverpool midfielder will partner Andras Schafer and Callum Styles.
Expected lineup:
Armenia: Avagyan, Piloyan, Mkrtchyan, S. Muradyan, Hovhannisyan, K. Muradyan, Spertsyan, Tiknizyan, Serobyan, Ranos, Shaghoyan.
Hungary: B. Toth, Nego, Orban, Szalai, Kerkez, Schafer, Styles, Szoboszlai, Bolla, Varga, Sallai.
The match between Armenia and Hungary takes place at 0:00 am on November 14 (Vietnam time).
