The “Match of the Week” features Maccabi Tel Aviv visiting Beitar Jerusalem, tonight, Monday at 21:00 at Teddy Stadium on Matchday 30 of the Israel Premier League Ligat Ha’Al.
מחזור 14: בית”ר ירושלים – מכבי ת”א | תקציר
Maccabi will look to get back onto the winning track after a number of disappointing results in the Championship Playoffs as they enter the contest with 55 points in 4th place and are battling Maccabi Netanya who have 52 points, for a place in Europe.
Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Beitar Jerusalem 2:1 in the capital in the second round of matches which was one of the highlights of the season. This evening, Maccabi will step onto the pitch in the Special Blue & White Yom Haatzmaut Shirt celebrating Israel’s 70th Independence Day, a shirt that they wore during their first few decades as a club.
Beitar Jerusalem enters the match after a 1:1 draw against Bnei Yehuda last week and a loss to Beer Sheva a couple of weeks ago. Beni Ben Zaken’s squad has 60 points and according to media reports Antoine Conte and David Keljtens will be available after being out for some time. Jorginho is doubtful and left back Marcel Heister will most probably be unavailable.
Ahead of the match Jordi Cruyff said: “It’s a moment for our character, players who are hungry and those who have to fight. We lost points and with more effectiveness, we could have had more. But we were punished. Above all hard work.”
Dor Peretz, the Yellow & Blue midfielder also spoke at the prematch press conference: “There’s always room to improve whether we win or lose. This game is what is most important right now and we are looking to take the three points.”
Stats & Facts:
Beitar comes into the match after a draw and a loss but up until the defeat to Beer Sheva, Jerusalem had gone on a 10 game undefeated streak with 8 of those contests being wins.
Beitar’s last home defeat was at the hands of Maccabi Tel Aviv (second round this season)
The away team has won 3 of the last 4 games between the sides while another match ended in a 1:1 draw. The last time a home team won was at the beginning of 2017 (1:0 for Beitar)
