Hungary vs. Northern Ireland: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV Info and Preview

Northern Ireland begin a bid to qualify for Euro 2016 with a trip to Hungary. Manager Michael O'Neill's squad has been hit by a rash of injuries, but key players, such as striker Will Grigg, remain confident.

However, Northern Ireland's task won't be easy without valuable figures such as defensive duo Alex Bruce and Ryan McLaughlin. O'Neill's threadbare team will have to be particularly wary about the threat posed by mercurial winger Balazs Dzsudzsak.

Here's all of the relevant schedule information:

Date	Time	TV	Stream
Sunday, September 7	5 p.m. BST / 12 p.m. ET	Sky Sports 3 Fox Sports 2	Sky Go / Fox Soccer 2Go

Sky Go. Fox Soccer 2Go.

Dzsudzsak and Zoltan Gera Will Cause Northern Ireland Problems

O'Neill must focus his team to deal with the considerable threat posed by Dzsudzsak from the flanks. He's a supremely talented, yet frustratingly inconsistent, winger.

Dzsudzsak has the ability to tie defenders in knots and make more than one marker look foolish. The 27-year-old also possesses a powerful shot from his left foot.

However, his effort is not always as high as it ought to be. If he's in the mood, Dzsudzsak is certain to be the main danger to a Northern Ireland defence marshaled by 34-year-old West Bromwich Albion centre-back Gareth McAuley.

But Dzsudzsak will have company and support in the form of ex-Premier League veteran Zoltan Gera. His return to the squad is a welcome addition, according to HungarianFootball.com:

"

The highlight of the squad announcement was the return to international football for Zoltán Gera. After a long spell in England’s Premier League he returned to the Hungarian 1st division to join Ferencváros and has been in brilliant form.

His skill, passion and creativity have been sorely missed and he will be a huge part of any success we have at international level. Gergő Lovrencsics of Lech Poznan and Dinamo Moscow’s Balázs Dzsudzsák will provide width and should be more than capable of causing lots of trouble for the Northern Ireland fullbacks.

"

Gera has always been best as a supporting striker. He has the timing to make late runs into the box to overwhelm defences. He's got a knack for scrapping his way to goals.

Tibor Illyes/Associated Press

Gera is already confident about his chances of punishing Northern Ireland, per Belfast Telegraph writer Steven Beacom:

"

They are unpredictable opponents, capable of playing well but also capable of very bad matches.

I know four to five of the Northern Ireland players, I am well aware of their squad and they have good players, but I’m hoping we can make a good start to the qualifying campaign.

"

O'Neill can't ignore the considerable threat the 35-year-old still poses. But the manager will also have a keen eye on whether his own team's strikers can cause some problems in Budapest.

Grigg Determined to Make an Impact

O'Neill's search for goals should lead to MK Dons striker Will Grigg. He will play a key role as the focal point of Northern Ireland's forward line.

Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

It's a role the 23-year-old is relishing, per Belfast Telegraph reporter Julian Taylor:

"

I'm one of those players who doesn't really get affected by pressure, it seems to be the bigger the game the better I do to be honest.

I've played three on TV, scored in every one and got two man-of-the-matches. I'll let Michael know that later on!

It doesn't seem to affect me in a negative way. It's one of those things, if you get your chance it's your job to take it and hopefully I can do that.

"

Grigg is in good form in England's League One, but he may find the step up to competitive international matches a little harder than he imagines.

It also won't help that he could be denied decent service and support without an attacker like Stuart Dallas on the field. He is one of four players, along with defenders Bruce and McLaughlin, currently nursing injuries, per BBC Sport.

Losing Dallas could be the biggest blow. He would have offered plenty of pace in attack alongside Grigg's industry.

O'Neill won't want to start with a defeat in a weak-looking Group F that will see three teams qualify. Aside from Hungary, Northern Ireland's opponents are Greece, Finland, Romania and Faroe Islands.

A positive star would leave O'Neill fancying his chances against this competition.

Predicted Final Score: Hungary 3-0 Northern Ireland

With his resources stretched both at the back and up front, O'Neill could find the visit to Budapest a painful experience. Hungary have the players in attack to consistently undermine the Northern Ireland defence.

A big early defeat will be a bitter blow for Northern Ireland in what is likely to be a wide-open group.