Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Match Time & Date:
30/08/2018
01:00 PM
Prediction: 3-1
Sarpsborg 08
Winner Stadium will host Thursday’s football match between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Sarpsborg, who face each other in the Europa League final qualifying round, return leg. Maccabi suffered a 3-1 loss to Sarpsborg in Norway, meaning that they need to record a big win in the second leg if they are to advance to the group stages. It is well known that the Israeli side produce much better showings at home than on the travels, which is the main reason why we are tempted to put our money on Vladimir Ivic’s troops. Maccabi are on an eight-game winning run at home ahead of the visit of Sarpsborg and we predict that the hosts are going to prove their worth on the field. Iceland attacker Kjartansson, who impressed in the two-legged tie against Radnicki Nis, is likely to prove a handful for the opposition back-line.
Highlighted Player (Eitan Tibi):
Eitan Tibi is a profesional footballer who plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv. Born in Jerusalem on 16 November, 1987, Tibi started his senior career at his hometown club Beitar Jerusalem. After ending his spell with Beitar in 2010 he moved to Charleroi and it has to be noted that the made nine league appearances for the Belgium outfit in the 2010/2011 season.
The Israeli defender then returned to his homeland, signing a contract with Ironi Kiryat Shmona, but he spent no more than one season at the club. In the summer of 2012 he signed a three-year contract with Maccabi Tel Aviv and he has been playing for the club ever since. His main position is centre back, but he is capable of playing as a left back as well.
In 2012 Eitan Tibi made his Israel debut against Czech Republic and he has established himself as a first-team regular. He started the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Italy, but Israel suffered a 3-1 loss to Giampiero Ventura’s troops in their opener.
Highlighted Team (Maccabi Tel Aviv):
Maccabi Tel Aviv are the oldest and probably the biggest clubs in Israel. The club was founded in 1906 and they have been playing an important role in the Israeli League ever since. In 2015 Maccabi won their 21st trophy in the national championship and the same season they clinched their 23rd Israeli Cup title.
The club’s fiercest rivals are Hapoel Tel-Aviv and they welcome their opponents at Netanya Stadium. The capacity of the venue is 13 610. The likes of Beitar Jerusalem Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Maccabi Haifa are considered Maccabi Tel Aviv’s bitter rivals as well. In 1969 the club won the AFC Champions League and they repeated the success two years later, beating Aliyat Al-Shorta in the final.
The likes of Jordi Cruyff, Paulo Sousa, Rade Prica, Moanes Dabour and Vincent Enyeama are the high-profile footballers who were part of the team in the past. The colour of Maccabi’s home kit is yellow and blue.
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