Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Hajduk Split Predictions, Betting Tips, & Match Preview

After three consecutive years of winning the Israeli Premier League since the 2012/2013 season, Maccabi Tel Aviv were knocked off their throne by Hapoel Be’er Sheva, finishing as runners up in their 2015/2016 campaign. Their failure to hold onto the title for another year could be pinned on their focus towards the Champions League groups stage, the first time the side had made it through to this round in eleven years. Instead, the hosts started their season off this time around with the Europa League first qualifying round and have so far successfully battled their way through to the playoff stage. They saw off Gorica 4-0 on aggregate in the first, Kairat 3-2 on aggregate in the second, and Pandurii Targu Jiu 5-2 on aggregate in the third qualifying rounds. Maccabi are certainly one of the stronger sides that are capable of progressing to the group phase from the opening round.

Croatian side Hajduk Split started their Europa League campaign in the second qualifying round thanks to their 3rd placed finish in the Croatian First League last season. The visitors have been just as efficient in seeing off weaker competition in the earlier rounds, defeating CSM Lasi 4-3 and Oleksandria 6-1 on aggregate so far. The Croatian domestic season is already well underway and Hadjuk Split started the season out perfectly with three wins from their first three. Their form has taken a turn for the worse over recent weeks, however, with only one point from their last two matches leaving them in 3rd place overall.

Both sides are very experienced in European competition but Maccabi Tel Aviv are the bookies favourites and the in-form side come into this match undefeated in their last seven consecutive Europa League matches (W6 D1), which will give them a clear edge in confidence. Hajduk Split have been knocked out in the playoff round in each of their last two Europa League efforts over the last two years, and they were knocked out in the third qualifying round the season before that. Simply put, Hadjuk Split struggle at exactly this point in the tournament, lacking the necessary talent to progress through to the group stages and now the pressure is on. Both teams have scored in all four of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s last four Europa League matches and Hajduk Split have scored at least one in all of their last six away matches. As such, we expect the visitors to be able to keep some hope alive by taking away at least a goal from this match.

Considering the above, we feel there should be plenty of goals in this first leg. Over 2.5 goals at 11/10 and Maccabi Tel Aviv to win 2-1 at 8/1 are our choice bets for this match.