Maccabi Haifa are in the driver's seat before hosting Slovan Bratislava in Tuesday's Champions League third qualifying round at the Sammy Ofer Stadium.
The Greens secured a commendable 2-1 triumph in last week's encounter in Slovakia and hope to prevent any Bratislava fightback in the reverse fixture.
Match preview
© Reuters
Three goals in the opening 15 minutes at the Tehelne Pole Stadion promised more last week, but no other side found the back of the net as Maccabi picked up a 2-1 triumph.
Goals from Frantzdy Pierrot and Dia Saba were instrumental in the eventual result, and the strikers could reprise their roles on Tuesday.
With the Israeli top division yet to begin, Messay Dego's team have faced competitive action in the Champions League and domestic Super Cup — defeating Beitar Jerusalem 3-1 in the latter in the final week of July.
After tasting the group stage of Europe's premier club competition for the first time in 13 years last season, the Greens seek consecutive participation at the highest level of Europe, even if a playoff round awaits the winner of this week's game.
The Israeli side have claimed victories in both Champions League games at home, and a third will suffice for the short-term ambition to make the deciding round in qualifying.
Be that as it may, Slovan Bratislava will point to Maccabi's penchant for conceding at the Sammy Ofer Stadium as an encouraging sign before Tuesday's clash.
Despite claiming wins against Hamrun Spartans and Sheriff Tiraspol, the Greens have conceded a goal each in both games.
Furthermore, the only clean sheet the club from Israel have in 2023-24 came in the first leg of their first qualifying round meeting with Hamrun — a 4-0 triumph in early July — offering hope for a positive outcome.
With the Sky Blues making it into the third qualifying round for the first time since 2014-15 and never playing in the group stage in the competition's current format, they face an uphill task battling their history.
Interestingly, Vladimir Weiss's team have claimed wins in both away games in qualifying without conceding — 1-0 and 2-0 against Swift Hesperange and Zrinjski, respectively — further strengthening the Slovakian side's belief of going through on Tuesday.
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Dolev Haziza had to be replaced in the first leg, and the wide attacker is doubtful for this week's fixture.
Decisive in the reverse fixture were Pierrot and Saba, who should start up top for the home side, with minimal changes expected.
Slovan Bratislava are likely to utilise a similar squad to the one that lost 2-1 in Slovakia a week ago, thus approaching the game with a 4-3-3 on Tuesday.
Club captain Vladimir Weiss was absent from the squad last week, and it remains to be seen if the wide attacker, who has scored three times in the qualifying rounds, is available.
Maccabi Haifa possible starting lineup:
Nitzan; Sundgren, Seck, Goldberg, Cornud; Khalaili, Mohamed, Jaber, Refaelov; Saba, Pierrot
Slovan Bratislava possible starting lineup:
Borjan; Pauschek, Kashia, Bajric, Lovat; Kucka, Savvidis, Kankava; Cavric, Abubakari, Zuberu
We say: Maccabi Haifa 2-1 Slovan Bratislava (Maccabi win 4-2 on aggregate)
Another home win for Maccabi should see them secure progress to the playoff round at Slovan's expense, with the away side unable to repeat previous road victories in Israel.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
