Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Radnicki Nis
Match Time & Date:
02/08/2018
02:00 PM
Prediction: 1-1
Maccabi Tel Aviv
As expected, Maccabi Tel Aviv recorded a 2-0 win over Radnicki Nis in the first leg of the Europa League second qualifying round. The Israeli side broke the deadlock in the second half of the match, but it has to be noted that they totally deserved to win the first leg. Maccabi are now on a quest to defend their lead in Thursday’s football game and despite the fact that Radnicki Nis are a real force to be reckoned with at home, we predict the visitors will book their place in the third qualifying round. You should know, though, that the visitors will be without Omer Atzili in the second leg as he was sent off in the 2-0 win over Radnici Nis a week ago. Taking everything into account, a close encounter is on the cards and there is every chance the two teams will play out a draw in the return leg.
Highlighted Player (Jose Rodriguez):
Jose Rodriguez is a professional footballer who was born in Villajoyosa, Alicante on 16 December, 1994. Rodriguez started his senior career at Real Madrid B, playing 60 matches for Castilla between 2012 and 2014. He made his debut for Real Madrid on 1 December, 2012 in a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the local derby.
Three days later Rodriguez became the youngest footballer ever to play for los Blancos in the Champions League as he came as a substitute in a 4-1 win over Ajax. He played for Deportivo La Coruna on loan in the 2014/2015 campaign and he joined Galatasaray at the end of the season. However, he made just 14 league appearances for the Turkish side and in 2016 he moved to Germany.
Rodriguez joined Mainz on 1 July, 2016 and his contract with the Bundesliga club expires on 30 June, 2020. His main position is central midfield, but he is capable of playing as both attacking midfielder and a right winger. Juan Rodriguez has six caps for Spain U21 team.
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.
