Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Sammy Ofer Stadium will be the centre of attention when Maccabi Haifa and Villarreal lock horns in the Europa League group stages round 4. Maccabi Haifa are desperate to register their first win of the process and we are positive they will adopt an attack-oriented approach in Thursday’s clash. There are no fresh injury worries in the home team as the Greens were not in action at the weekend.
The Yellow Submarine, on the other hand, are not enjoying a season to remember. Villarreal sit in 13th place in the La Liga standings and given their difficulties at the back, away win should not be considered. As both sides are likely to adopt an attack-minded approach in Thursday’s game, we are tempted to put our money on both teams to score. As for the La Liga outfit, all Coquelin, Foyth, Pedraza, Pino, and Suarez have been struggling with injuries of late.
Highlighted Player (Aissa Mandi):
Aissa Mandi is a product of Reims’ youth school. After playing eight matches for Reims II in the 2009/2010 season, he started playing for the first team in 2010. Mandi made his Reims debut against Le Havre on 20 August, 2010 and he remained at Stade Auguste Delaune until 30 June, 2016, when he decided to join Spanish side Real Betis.
The Algeria international, who was born in Chalons-en-Champagne, France, signed a five-year contract with los Beticos which expires on 30 June, 2021. His main position is centre back, but he is capable of playing as a full back as well. The right-footed defender made his Algeria debut on 5 March, 2014 and he helped the Algerian national team keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Slovenia.
Mandi impressed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but he scored his first goal for Algeria in a 3-3 draw with Ethiopia in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He represented Algeria at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations as well.