Preview: Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Hamrun Spartans – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

A week after their stoppage-time winning goal in the second half, Maccabi Tel Aviv ‘host’ Hamrun Spartans at TSC Arena in Serbia for Thursday’s Europa League third qualifying round second leg.

Zarko Lazetic’s men were predicted to secure a narrow victory in the reverse fixture against the Maltese club, but their manner of victory was unforeseen, and they hope to build on that comeback win and qualify for the playoff round against Dynamo Kiev or Pafos.

Match preview

Maccabi may have been favourites to claim success in the first leg against Hamrun, but they had to overcome difficulties to carry an advantage into the second leg.

The Yellows seemed to be heading for defeat after N’dri Philippe Koffi converted a penalty in the 71st minute to put the Maltese side ahead.

However, Roy Revivo’s equaliser just eight minutes later and Elad Madmon’s 96th-minute winner secured the victory for the Israeli team.

Thursday’s match will not be held in Israel due to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, but the Yellows remain favourites to win on aggregate and reach the final qualifying stage before the league phase. 

That playoff encounter could be against Pafos, who ended their chance of Champions League qualification; however, this outcome is contingent on the Cypriot club losing their third qualifying tie against Dynamo Kiev.

Giacomo Modica’s Hamrun hope to have recovered from the shock of losing their advantage last week at Tony Bezzina Stadium.

The 11-time Maltese Premier League winners and three-time defending domestic champions aim to participate in the main stage of European competition for the first time since the introduction of a group or league phase format. 

Tas-Sikkina side last featured in European competition in the 1991-92 season, when they lost 10-0 on aggregate to Benfica in the first round of the European Cup.

Since then, they have failed to progress through qualifying rounds in the Cup Winners’ Cup, Champions League, UEFA Cup/Europa League and Conference League.

Their nearest miss was in the 2022-23 season, when they beat Alashkert, Velez Mostar and Levski Sofia in the first three rounds of qualifying before losing 7-4 on aggregate to Partizan in the playoff tie.

Three years after that disappointment, and at a higher level than in 2022, Modica’s team hope to win the tie and move on to the playoff round, where they could face Dynamo, who defeated them 6-0 on aggregate in the second round of Champions League qualifying in July.

Although a defeat would be disappointing, both Maccabi and Hamrun could still have European prospects in 2025-26 if they lose, as the eliminated side is transferred to the Conference League playoff round.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa League form:

Maccabi Tel Aviv form (all competitions):

Hamrun Spartans Europa League form:

Hamrun Spartans form (all competitions):

Team News

With Yoav Gerafi not playing for Maccabi since suffering an injury against Pafos on July 30, Lazetic faces a decision between Roei Mishpati and Ofek Melika, with the latter returning from suspension after being dismissed against the Cypriot side last month.

Although Revivo and Madmon scored the goals last week, the Yellows will look to Dor Turgeman and Weslley Patati to bear the attacking responsibility for the hosts.

That responsibility is due to Turgeman scoring 15 league goals for the Israeli side last season, with Patati contributing 12, making them capable of handling the departure of 12-goal forward Eran Zahavi.

Hamrun’s top leading goalscorers in the 2024-25 season — Raphael Lopes Silva (12 goals) and Luke Montebello (11) — have now left the club, meaning the Maltese team must find alternative solutions in the attacking third on Thursday.

Despite firing blanks in the reverse fixture last week, Joseph Mbong, who scored six league goals in the previous term, and netted in Hamrun’s Champions League qualifying victory against Zalgiris in mid-July, hopes to come up trumps for Modica’s team.

Maccabi Tel Aviv possible starting lineup:

Mishpati; Camara, Stojic, Asante; Jehezkel, Peretz, Sissokho, Shahar, Revivo; Patati; Turgeman

Hamrun Spartans possible starting lineup:

Bonello; Compri, Polito, Bjelicic, Camenzuli; Thoune, Cademovic, Ederson, Mbong; Coric; Koffi

We say: Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-0 Hamrun Spartans (Maccabi Tel Aviv win 4-1 on aggregate)

Despite Thursday’s game being played on neutral ground, it is difficult to look past a Maccabi victory. 

The Israeli side possess superior match-winning quality, which should serve the Yellows well in the third qualifying round of the competition, paving the way for a playoff round meeting with Pafos or Dynamo.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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