Hapoel Beer-Sheva vs Maccabi Haifa - Match Preview
24 Dec 2017 Tampines -Tanjong Pagar ISRAEL: Premier League
ISRAEL: Premier League
Hapoel Beer Sheva
- W
- L
- W
- L
- L
vs
Maccabi Haifa
- D
- L
- L
- D
- L
Kick-off
19:00 GMT
25 December 2017
With plenty of European leagues taking a break over the festive period, there is very little football on offer but one league that doesn’t even stop for Christmas Day is the Israeli Premier League. Hapoel Beer-Sheva face Maccabi Haifa on the 25th of December and the hosts can go top of the table with a win, which is a game-in-hand while the visitors need to steer clear of the bottom half of the table, they currently sit 9th out of 14 teams.
STATS
- The second-placed side have failed to take maximum points from their last few games as they have only won three of their last five matches in the league. They have had to juggle a Europa League campaign as well, one that they have crashed out of, which was always expected. They lost 1-0 to Maccabi Netanya in their last match, which took them three points behind their title rivals.
- Maccabi Haifa are beginning to be dragged into a relegation dogfight after poor form in the last few weeks. They have won just one of their last five in the league and haven’t won in the last four, a run of results that has seen them slip down the league table. They were convincingly beaten 2-0 by Bnei Yehuda in their last game.
- Hapoel Beer-Sheva have struggled to find one main prolific goalscorer this term as their current leading scorer, Anthony Nwakaeme, has just five league goals.
- Maccabi Haifa have experienced an even worse problem in front of goal as their right winger and top scorer, Nikita Rukavytsya, has four league goals.
HEAD TO HEAD
Maccabi Haifa have struggled against Hapoel Beer-Sheva in recent years and have just one win from their last five meetings. Each of the other four ended in losses and they failed to score in all four, conceding eight goals across the games. Their one win came in the most recent league fixture where they convincingly won 3-1 back at the end of August. The two sides recently faced off in the cup, Hapoel Beer-Sheva won 1-0 to take them through.
HAPOEL BEER-SHEVA NEWS
A win by a couple of goals for the hosts would take them top of the Israeli Premier League on Christmas Day. They shouldn’t have too many problems overcoming the inferior opposition but shouldn’t become complacent as they may slip up.
Latest matches: Hapoel Beer Sheva
| 17.12.2017 | Prem |
Maccabi Netanya | Hapoel Beer Sheva | 1:0 | L |
| 14.12.2017 | Leag |
Maccabi Tel Aviv | Hapoel Beer Sheva | 1:0 | L |
| 10.12.2017 | Prem |
Bnei Sakhnin FC | Hapoel Beer Sheva | 1:3 | W |
| 07.12.2017 |  UEFA |
Hapoel Beer Sheva | FC Viktoria Plzen | 0:2 | L |
| 03.12.2017 | Prem |
Hapoel Beer Sheva | Ironi Kiryat Shmona | 3:1 | W |
MACCABI HAIFA NEWS
The visitors can push into the top half with three points, especially with a game-in-hand over some of the teams directly above them. It’ll be an uphill but they beat them last season so they know they can do it.
Latest matches: Maccabi Haifa
| 16.12.2017 | Prem |
Maccabi Haifa | Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv | 0:2 | L |
| 09.12.2017 | Prem |
Maccabi Haifa | Hapoel Ashkelon | 1:1 | D |
| 04.12.2017 | Prem |
Hapoel Haifa | Maccabi Haifa | 1:0 | L |
| 30.11.2017 | Leag |
Hapoel Beer Sheva | Maccabi Haifa | 1:0 | L |
| 25.11.2017 | Prem |
Maccabi Netanya | Maccabi Haifa | 1:1 | D |
SUMMARY
On Christmas Day, it is Hapoel Beer-Sheva who will be expecting to take three points in the country where Jesus was born. They will be expecting to go into 2018 top of the table with a chance of qualifying for the UEFA Europa League for the second campaign running. Maccabi Haifa shouldn’t be ruled out and they won’t be a pushover in this festive clash. It will probably be decided by the odd goal.
25 December 2017 - 19:00 GMT
ISRAEL: Premier LeagueAbout the author - Tampines -Tanjong Pagar
- Tampines: Tampines Football Club, also known as Tampines Rovers, is a professional soccer team based in Singapore. They compete in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) and have a rich history in Singaporean football. Here are some key points to consider about Tampines:
Strengths:
- Experienced Squad: Tampines Rovers have a good mix of experienced players who bring a wealth of knowledge and skill to the team.
- Strong Attack: The team boasts several talented attacking players who are capable of creating scoring opportunities and finding the back of the net.
- Consistent Performers: Tampines Rovers have been consistently competitive in the SPL, often finishing near the top of the league table.
Weaknesses:
- Defensive Vulnerabilities: At times, Tampines Rovers have shown vulnerabilities in their defense, which can lead to conceding goals.
- Inconsistency: While they have had successful campaigns in the past, there have been instances where they struggled to maintain a consistent performance level.
- Tanjong Pagar: Tanjong Pagar United Football Club is another Singaporean soccer team that participates in the Singapore Premier League. After a hiatus, they made a return to the league in recent years. Here's an assessment of Tanjong Pagar:
Strengths:
- Resurgence: After their return to the SPL, Tanjong Pagar has shown resilience and determination to re-establish themselves as a competitive team.
- Young Talent: The team has invested in young players, giving them opportunities to develop and showcase their abilities.
- Fighting Spirit: Tanjong Pagar has displayed a never-give-up attitude, often putting up spirited performances even against stronger opponents.
Weaknesses:
- Limited Squad Depth: Tanjong Pagar may face challenges due to a relatively smaller squad and fewer resources compared to some other teams in the league.
- Defensive Fragility: The team has struggled with defensive solidity at times, leading to conceding goals more frequently.
Overall, Tampines Rovers have a stronger track record and a more established presence in the Singapore Premier League. They possess experienced players and have a history of competitive performances. On the other hand, Tanjong Pagar is a team that has been rebuilding and showing signs of progress. While they may face challenges, they have displayed resilience and a commitment to improvement.
It's important to note that soccer teams' performance can vary over time, so it's always a good idea to keep up with the latest news and updates on their progress.
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