Game of the season: Maccabi Haifa Vs Hapoel Tel Aviv

[berko]

A special thread for this game for what in the last 10 years have been the best and most consistent teams in Israel.
Once again both fighting for the league title and the scenario is the same from last season: Kiriat Eliezer.
This time the greens are the ones who need the win as they failed to beat Netanya last week and made it possible for Hapoel Tel Aviv to jump first.

A sell out crowd is expected in the north and a very tense atmosphere aswell.

Elisha Levi still has some doubts in his lineup, but will apparently decide for Tomer Hemed as the striker upfront instead of Vladimir Dvalishvili.
Meshumar and Vered who didn`t practice yesterday are already fit and are at disposal for the coach.

Levi sketched the following team:

Davidovich; Meshumar, Benado, Pilavskiy, Mesilela; Saido, Boccoli, Golasa, Refaelov,Katan, Hemed.

But the coach tested Shlomi Azulai and Idan Vered as well in the lineup instead of Golasa and Katan which means he is really in doubt (and probably hiding information from Hapoel) for the game.

As for Hapoel, Avihay Yadin will miss the match as today he was suspended by IFA court after the incidents in which he was accused to provoke Beitar Jerusalem fans after the State Cup finals which ended 1-0 for Hapoel. He will get one game suspension.

Gili Vermut and Ben Sahar were spared from practice today as both of them are suffering from pain in their leg muscle and will probably go to the match of the season with painkillers.

What do you guys think? Who will win the game? Who is better prepared?

[Golasa12]

Its hard to say, I think losing Yadin is a big blow for Hapoel, he is a very solid player, Haifa will definitely have their backs against the wall, while we know that at least two more important players will be leaving Hapoel at the end of the season. Maybe a tie?

[berko]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golasa12

Its hard to say, I think losing Yadin is a big blow for Hapoel, he is a very solid player, Haifa will definitely have their backs against the wall, while we know that at least two more important players will be leaving Hapoel at the end of the season. Maybe a tie?

Like you said Yadin is a very solid player, but IMO the big blow would be if Vermut of Tamuz would be out.
It is curious because IMO Hapoel Tel Aviv comes a bit in bad form despite the first place and they aren`t convincing.
Maccabi Haifa were more stable, but they seem to crumble under pressure.
So it is a really unpredictable game.

[berko]

Hapoel tested Shivhon to replace Yadin and Pecalka who also played in midfield be at the heart of defense.

Probable lineup: Enyema; Bondar, Pecalka, Fransman, Ben Dayan; Abutbul, Shivhon, Zahavi, Vermut, Sahar, Tamuz.

Hemed and Dvalishvili could start upfront even though IMO seems unlikely Levi ends up starting like this. The big question is whether Katan will start since the captain is not in good form.

Davidovich; Meshumar, Benado, Pilavskyi, Mesilela; Boccoli, Golasa, Katan (Vered), Refaelov, Hemed, Dvalishvili

[berko]

Maccabi Haifa beat Hapoel Tel Aviv 2-0 in the game of the season and returned to first place two points ahead of their rivals.
Yaniv Katan silenced all critics as he made a great game and guided the greens to an important victory scoring a goal and participating in the second one as his shot hit the bar and fled to Dvalishvili´s foot and to the net.
Haifa dominated almost the entire game and deserved to win. Hapoel looked a bit passive at times and it is only a shadow of the team that has played brilliantly in the last two years. It seems the players are thinking on new contracts and possible transfers to Europe instead of focusing in the title.

The story is not over yet as there are three rounds to go and only two points separates them from one another. The games at the playoff prove to be tough as both still play Maccabi Tel Aviv and the other teams dream of Europe.