Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach Paulo Sousa is preparing for the team's first of three consecutive road games at Bnei Sakhnin in the Israeli Premier League's top-six playoff: "Doha Stadium is a difficult venue"
Matchweek 31 of the Israeli Premier League will come to an end tomorrow night at 8.50pm as Maccabi Tel Aviv prepare to take the pitch at Doha Stadium, home venue of Bnei Sakhnin, in a match to be broadcast live on Israeli channel 11. A win would put the visitors fourteen points in front of second placed Hapoel Beer Sheva in the Israeli Premier League table, but it will be no walk in the park, as head coach Paulo Sousa explains: "This is already our third encounter against Bnei Sakhnin this season but our first at Doha Stadium, usually a difficult venue for visiting clubs. I expect the match to be close, just like all our matches so far in the play-offs. Don't forget that Bnei Sakhnin were the first club to score a league goal against us this season". He continued: "At the same time as we look to score against our opponents to take all three points, we're also looking to keep a clean sheet. This week, more than any other, we'll be looking to apply on the pitch what we've worked on in training".
Defender Eytan Tibi, who scored his only goal in Maccabi kit against Bnei Sakhnin last season, added his own positive assessment of tomorrow night's rivals: "It's no coincidence that Sakhnin are in the top-six playoffs, their form this season has been truly impressive. On the other hand we're closer than ever to our goal this season. So taking into account of Sakhnin's very effective attack we have to try and win the match and keep a clean sheet".
