Centre stage in Saturday's Youth Division action: A top-of-table encounter for Maccabi's U17s
After losing three matches in succession in all competitions, Maccabi's U19s will attempt to get back on track when they host Hapoel Ra'anana at Ramla municipal stadium at noon on Saturday. Even after two consecutive league defeats, head coach Ziv Arie's lads lead the U19 Premier League by five points over their closest rivals Maccabi Haifa. In "Shachar"'s previous encounter with Hapoel Ra'anana, the latter succeeded in bringing to an end a run of six consecutive "Shachar" victories at the beginning of the season when the two sides drew 1-1 in Ra'anana.
At 11am on Saturday Maccabi Tel Aviv "Oded" will host their U17 Premier League nemesis Maccabi Haifa at the Kiryat Shalom training ground in what looks like being an intriguing encounter. The two teams have run neck-and-neck since the start of the season, gameweek 23 opening with the visitors two points ahead at the top of the table, but with the hosts having a game in hand. Should coaches Eliezer Ben Aharon and Gadi Brumer lead their side to victory, "Oded" will go top even before playing their missing fixture midweek against Nesher FC.
Maccabi's Under-16s also have the opportunity to go top of their league this Saturday when they play the early 8.30am kick-off at Kiryat Shalom against Hapoel Rishon Lezion. Victory would mean passing Maccabi Petach Tikva who have played a game more. Maccabi Tel Aviv "Eldad", leaders of the nationwide U15 League Central District, will endeavour to hold on to their five-point lead when they play away to municipal neighbours Bnei Yehuda at 2pm. Maccabi's Under-15 Team 2 will host Hapoel Acre at Kiryat Shalom at 12.30pm in their efforts to climb further up the nationwide U15 League Sharon District table.
Two more teams hosting at Kiryat Shalom are Maccabi's Under-14s, North and South. The former will face Beitar Tubruk at 8.45am on the artificial pitch, with the latter taking over at 10.30am to tackle Hapoel Ramat Hasharon. Maccabi's Under-13 Team North will also welcome their counterparts from Hapoel Ramat Hasharon, at Hadar Yosef field at 8.30am. The club's Under-13 Team South have an afternoon engagement at 3.30pm at Hapoel Kiryat Ono.
