Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Dundalk Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Dundalk are the fairytale story of this season’s European football campaign. They made it further than they ever have before in the Champions League before being knocked out in the Playoff round, but that still granted them their first ever appearance in the Europa League group stages.

They haven’t lay down and taken beatings as many expected though. Coming into the final group game they still have a genuine chance of making it through to the knockout stages, with them currently sitting 3rd in the table. They are one point behind AZ Alkmaar in 2nd and ahead of Maccabi Tel Aviv on head to head results.

This leaves 2nd place wide open in the group stage. If AZ lose to Zenit, who have a perfect record so far, then they will only go through if this match ends goalless. Dundalk can progress with a score draw as long as AZ lose, whereas if AZ fail to win and Maccabi Tel Aviv take the points then the Israelis will progress.

Maccabi Tel Aviv aren’t in the best shape either considering they need a win. They have only won one of their last eight games in all competitions and have lost three of their last four. Their home form isn’t much better, with just two wins from their last eight and the last three games all ending goalless.

Dundalk’s domestic season came to an end at the start of November, with an extra time defeat to Cork City losing them the Irish FA Cup after they won the Irish Premier Division by a seven point margin over them.

This concentration of Europa League games means their form record looks a bit sketchy, but in fairness to them they held their own against group winners Zenit in both of their matches against them, with both ending 2-1 to the Russians. Dundalk have already beaten Maccabi Tel Aviv and drew away to AZ Alkmaar as well.

Dundalk have proven to be extremely resilient away from home in Europe this season, losing just two of their five overall away games including Champions League qualifiers. This, alongside Maccabi Tel Aviv’s poor home record this season, makes odds of 9/5 for a Dundalk Win or Draw Double Chance look very profitable. I’m backing that alongside a 1-1 correct score predictions at 13/2 which could see Dundalk into the knockout stages.