One point, 14 goals conceded and none scored.

Malta's record in Group One makes depressing reading, especially when compared with that of Hungary who let in only two in an erstwhile impressive run that has propelled them to the top of the standings, level with Denmark on 10 points.

The odds are heavily skewed in favour of the Magyars ahead of this evening's World Cup qualifier against Malta at the Ferenc Puskas Stadium.

A 3-0 home defeat to Denmark on Saturday hardly helped to lift Maltese spirits but the mere mention of Hungary somehow seems to instil optimism in the national team. Why?

Most of the players in the current squad were involved in that historic match in October 2006 when Malta upset the odds big time with a 2-1 victory over Hungary in a Euro 2008 qualifier at the National Stadium.

Since that landmark, Hungary have beaten Malta twice, 2-0 in the return Euro 2008 qualifier in 2007 and 1-0 in October last year when the two nations met for the first time in this World Cup campaign.

Dusan Fitzel, the man who masterminded that famous win over Hungary in 2006, craves a repeat of that success but knows that his team face a monumental task to dent the hosts' chances of reaching South Africa 2010.

"Hungary have high expectations," Fitzel told The Times in Budapest.

"They are in a very strong position, top of the group with Denmark and with a four-point lead over Portugal and Sweden.

"They are very much in contention to qualify for the finals. After their win in Albania last weekend, Hungary will want to celebrate that success with a home victory over Malta.

"It's going to be another tough outing for us but the pressure is on Hungary to win. This is the second leg of a double fixture and Hungary may find it hard to cope with the expectation of winning two games in six days."

Fitzel's immediate priority is for Malta to stamp out the mistakes that marred the team's performance last weekend.

"We have analysed that performance," Fitzel said.

"I encouraged the players to spot the mistakes they committed to increase the likelihood of them avoiding a repeat in the next outing."

Asked to identify one aspect of the display against Denmark where Malta need to improve, Fitzel replied: "There were too many errors in defence. It looks as if my team have a chronic problem dealing with crosses inside our box.

"Our central defenders had different views as to who should tackle whom, particularly in situations when the opponents delivered centres.

"In defence, communication is crucial but Luke and Andrei have just started to get their partnership. Luke and Brian Said had a greater understanding because they had been our regular central defenders for seven years but they can't play together forever. I've also got to think about the future."

With Dimech out because of suspension, Fitzel has no option but to find a new defensive partner for Igea Virtus's Agius.

Valletta centre-half Kenneth Scicluna received a call from Fitzel on Saturday night to replace Dimech but the Czech coach has confirmed that Jonathan Caruana, who started at right-back against Denmark, is the front-runner to flank Agius today.

"Andrei and Jonathan played together for the U-21 team," Fitzel said.

"They are the same age and know each other well."

Caruana's likely switch to central defence creates a vacancy at right-back. The favourite to fill this position is Alex Muscat with Shawn Bajada all but certain of retaining his position on the left side of a four-man defence.

The absence of midfielder Jamie Pace, also suspended, should bring captain Gilbert Agius back into the team for what would be his 116th cap.

Fitzel will put the finishing touches to his starting XI this morning but the likes of Michael Mifsud, Andrew Cohen and Andrè Schembri are sure to start.

Etienne Barbara and Roderick Briffa are vying for the right-midfield role, Fitzel having kept a close eye on their performance during yesterday evening's training drill before making a decision on their inclusion or otherwise in his first-team selection.

Up front, the onus of leading Malta's attacking charge is likely to fall on Daniel Bogdanovic but Terrence Scerri is also in the frame.

Fielding the customary question about his selection, Fitzel explained that choosing his line-up is no straightforward task.

"I've discussed this issue with my assistant (Michael Striz)," Fitzel said.

"Gilbert Agius is in my plans but he can't last the full 90 minutes, so I must think about a replacement.

"Schembri's recovery is going well, but there's no guarantee that he will not suffer a recurrence of the same injury during the match.

"Alex Muscat is another player who is still feeling some discomfort from the knee problem he suffered against Albania.

"I have to look at the broader picture when I select the starting team. A match could throw up various scenarios and I like to prepare myself for all eventualities.

"But, most of the players don't understand this. Their one and only concern is to be in the team and I really get disappointed when I see that some lose interest if they're out of the starting line-up."

Switching his focus back to today's match, Fitzel sees some significant similarities between Hungary and Denmark.

"In midfield, Hungary's approach is very similar to Denmark's," Fitzel said.

"They normally field a 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1 but their midfielders are very mobile and like to switch roles during the game. We must be very careful in midfield.

"Avoiding an early goal is crucial but I'm also hoping that luck will be on our side this time because nothing has gone right for us in this campaign.

"We have conceded unfortunate goals and most of the 50-50 decisions by referees have also gone against us."

Full capacity

Tickets for this evening's qualifier are selling fast amid reports that the 35,000-seater Ferenc Puskas Stadium will be filled to capacity this evening.

Hungary coach Erwin Koeman must make at least two changes from the Albania match as goalkeeper Gabor Babos and Pal Dardai will be serving a one-match ban.

"The win in Albania was very important for our qualification chances," Koeman said.

"The mood is upbeat but nobody expects the qualifier against Malta to be an easy game."

Previous encounters

World Cup
14-11-1971 Malta-Hungary - 0-2
06-05-1972 Hungary-Malta - 3-0
11-12-1988 Malta-Hungary - 2-2
12-04-1989 Hungary-Malta - 1-1
17-11-2004 Malta-Hungary - 0-2
03-09-2005 Hungary-Malta - 4-0
15-10-2008 Malta-Hungary - 0-1

Euro Championship
11-10-2006 Malta-Hungary - 2-1
13-10-2007 Hungary-Malta - 2-0

Friendlies
19-03-1997 Malta-Hungary - 1-4
06-08-1997 Hungary-Malta - 3-0

Probable line-ups

Malta: J. Haber, J. Caruana, A. Muscat, A. Agius, G. Agius, M. Mifsud, A. Cohen, A Schembri, E. Barbara/R. Briffa, S. Bajada, D. Bogdanovic/T. Scerri.

Hungary: M. Fulop (Sunderland), Z. Szelesi (Strasbourg), R. Juhasz (Anderlecht), V. Vanczak (Sion), B. Bodor (Roda JC), S. Huszti (Zenit SP), Z. Gera (Fulham), T. Hajnal (B. Dortmund), B. Dzsudzsak (PSV), P. Halmosi (Hull), S. Torghelle (Augsburg).

Referee: Stanislav Sukhina (Russia FA).

Kick-off: 19.00.

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