Will Maccabi take the recent momentum with them?

The international adventure for Maccabi Haifa could not have got off to a better start. The Israelis prevailed in the second qualifying round for the Champions League against Olympiakos Piraeus, a big favourite to advance to the group stage. Although Maccabi squandered home advantage in the first leg, the second leg still gave them a ticket to the third round.

The Israeli champions celebrated a 4-0 victory at Greek record champions Olympiakos Piraeus and thus caused a big surprise in the CL qualification. Maccabi now face a comparatively easier hurdle in the third round in the form of Apollon.

Maccabi Haifa play the first leg in their own stadium and are favourites as expected. For Maccabi Haifa vs. Apollon Limassol, betting odds of 1.60 are offered for tip 1. The last time Maccabi faced a team from Cyprus at the Sammy Ofer Stadium, it was a 1-0 win over AEK Larnaca in the 2011/12 Europa League – a good omen ahead of the match against Apollon?

Apollon had a bye in the last round and will only start their international adventure in the third qualifying round. The Cypriots last appeared in the Champions League qualifiers in the 2006/07 season, when they were knocked out in the first round by Cork City. Since then, Apollon have only competed internationally in the Europa League.

Maccabi Haifa – Statistics & current form

Maccabi Haifa won the 14th championship in the club’s history last season and thus punched their ticket for Champions League qualification for the second time in a row. In contrast to last season, when Maccabi were knocked out in the first round by FC Kairat, this time the Israelis started successfully in the CL qualifiers.

With Olympiakos Piraeus, Maccabi Haifa eliminated a big favourite to enter the group stage of the top flight. The result against the Greek record champions was certainly surprising, as Maccabi still managed to overcome the difficult hurdle in Piraeus after the draw in the first leg in front of their home crowd.

Maccabi Haifa even won the away match against Olympiakos 4-0, thus handing the Greek representatives one of the highest home defeats in the club’s history. If the Israelis take the momentum into the third round of CL qualifying, head coach Barak Bakhar’s side should not find it too difficult against Apollon either.

Maccabi are a force at home

Internationally, Maccabi Haifa have lost only one of their last 15 home games since 2013. That defeat came against Union Berlin in the Europa Conference League last season. It is quite possible that the home strength will also be underpinned against the upcoming opponents from Cyprus.

The last time a team from Cyprus was hosted at the Sammy Ofer Stadium, Maccabi recorded a narrow home victory. However, the traditional Israeli club lost the match in Cyprus and has a record of 1-0-1 against Cypriots. If the Green-Whites win again, the odds on Maccabi Haifa vs. Apollon Limassol will be reasonable for tip 1.

Barak Bakhar can draw on a wide range of players for the home match against the visitors from Limassol. Only two players, Meir and Jaber, are out through injury, and Maccabi Haifa have no other absentees. Changes in the starting eleven are not expected after the strong performance in Piraeus.

Predicted line-up of Maccabi Haifa:
Cohen; Sundgren, Goldberg, Planic, Menahem; Mohamed, Lavi, Chery; Atzili, David, Haziza

Last matches played by Maccabi Haifa:

Champions League Qualifiers
28/07/2022 – Olympiakos Piraeus 0 – 4 Maccabi Haifa

20/07/2022 – Maccabi Haifa 1 – 1 Olympiakos Piraeus

Super Cup
17/07/2022 – Maccabi Haifa (3)1 – 1(4) Hapoel Beer Sheva

Friendly club matches
12/07/2022 – Vitesse Arnhem 1 – 0 Maccabi Haifa

09/07/2022 – KV Mechelen 1 – 0 Maccabi Haifa

Apollon Limassol – Statistics & current form

Apollon Limassol claimed the Cypriot top flight championship for the first time in almost 16 years last season, the fourth league title in the club’s history overall. For the first time since 2006, the four-time champions from Limassol are now back in the qualifiers for the top flight.

The last time the Cypriots played in the CL qualifiers, Apollon Limassol FC lost in the first qualifying round to Irish champions Cork City. Since then, Apollon have made ten international appearances. Four times they have reached the group stage of the Europa League.

The 2018/19 season was the last time the Cypriots reached the group stage of a European Cup, and since then Apollon Limassol FC have failed to qualify three times in a row. Last season, the Cypriots even lost out to MSK Zilina in the second round of Conference League qualifying.

Can the Cypriots withstand the Israeli offensive?

The performance of the defence will set the tone for the match in Israel. Apollon Limassol FC did not make a good impression during their summer preparations and remained winless in all four test matches, conceding a total of eight goals for head coach Alexander Zorniger’s team.

It would therefore be more than surprising if they were to keep their clean sheet in the match against Maccabi Haifa. Apollon Limassol FC have conceded only one goal in their last eleven international matches. That clean sheet came in the 2020/21 EL qualifiers against OFI Crete in the second round.

Since then, the Cypriots have scored ten times in their last three international matches. It is quite possible that this negative trend will continue against Maccabi Haifa. Malekkidis and Iliev will miss Wednesday’s match due to injury. There are no other absences.

Predicted line-up of Apollon Limassol:
Jovanovic; Cabral, Roberge, Peybernes, Khammas; Ongenda, Kyriakou, Jradi; Janga, Dabo, Pittas

Last matches played by Apollon Limassol:

Friendly club matches
27/07/2022 – Apollon Limassol 0 – 1 FC Torino

1st League Championship Grp.
22/05/2022 – Apollon Limassol 0 – 1 AEK Larnaca

15/05/2022 – Aris Limassol 1 – 4 Apollon Limassol

08/05/2022 – Apollon Limassol 3 – 2 APOEL Nicosia

30/04/2022 – Anorthosis 1 – 1 Apollon Limassol

Maccabi Haifa – Apollon Limassol Direct comparison / H2H record

Maccabi Haifa and Apollon Limassol FC meet for the first time ever

Maccabi Haifa – Apollon Limassol betting tips

Maccabi Haifa go into the third qualifying round of the Champions League with a broad chest after their 5-1 aggregate win over Olympiakos Piraeus. The Israelis will be looking to make the most of home advantage against Apollon Limassol FC and set the stage for the play-offs in the first leg. Looking at Maccabi’s recent home record, bets on a home win for the Israelis are obvious.

Internationally, the green-whites from Haifa have lost only one of their last 15 home games since 2013. It is quite possible that this record will be extended against Apollon Limassol FC. The Cypriots are not in the best of shape going into Wednesday’s match after a mixed summer preparation.

In addition, it is the first competitive match of the new season for Apollon Limassol FC. Maccabi Haifa, on the other hand, have already gained match practice with three matches – two of them in the CL qualifiers. Like the bookmakers, we see the hosts from Haifa as favourites and are leaning towards a home win on Wednesday evening.

With Maccabi Haifa vs. Apollon Limassol FC, our betting odds of 1.60 are on a win for the Israelis. We are betting six out of ten possible units.