We have the second legs of the 2023/24 Champions League first qualifying round this week, including the meeting between Maccabi Haifa and Hamrun Spartans FC.
The match will be played on the 18th of July at the Sammy Ofer Stadium with both teams yet to begin their domestic league season.
היום השמיני למחנה ⚽️🟢💪🏽לאחר עבודה בחדר כוח אתמול, חזרו היום השחקנים של מסאי דגו אל הדשא וערכו אימון ראשון בבוקר, יחד עם עבדולאי סק וניתאי גרייס (שהגיע להחליף את שריף כיוף שנסע לנבחרת הצעירה). מאוחר יותר יעביר המאמן אסיפה לקבוצה ויתקיים האימון השני להיום#יאללהמכבי… pic.twitter.com/EUJYxlc2bK— Maccabi Haifa FC (@mhfootballclub) July 4, 2023
היום השמיני למחנה ⚽️🟢💪🏽לאחר עבודה בחדר כוח אתמול, חזרו היום השחקנים של מסאי דגו אל הדשא וערכו אימון ראשון בבוקר, יחד עם עבדולאי סק וניתאי גרייס (שהגיע להחליף את שריף כיוף שנסע לנבחרת הצעירה). מאוחר יותר יעביר המאמן אסיפה לקבוצה ויתקיים האימון השני להיום#יאללהמכבי… pic.twitter.com/EUJYxlc2bK
Maccabi Haifa come into the game on the back of a 4-0 win in the first leg in Malta.
Maccabi Haifa were struggling to make the breakthrough in the first half but opened the scoring in the 41st minute.
They doubled their advantage before half time and took control of the tie in the second half.
Maccabi Haifa scored two more goals, in the 57th and 79th minutes to record a good away victory and put them in pole position to qualify.
Maccabi Haifa played three friendly fixtures prior to the first leg, beating Universitatea Cluj 3-0 but losing 2-1 against Slavia Prague and 1-0 to St. Pölten.
Maccabi Haifa finished 7 points clear at the top of the Ligat Ha’al last season to qualify for the Champions League.
Trends show Maccabi Haifa have won only 2 of their last 8 Champions League games.
However, they have been tough to beat at home and Maccabi Haifa are undefeated in 8 of their last 10 Champions League fixtures on home soil.
Their most recent victory was 2-0 against Italian giants Juventus in October 2022.
Maccabi Haifa's last 3 games in the Champions League have been high scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored.
Hamrun Spartans FC travel to the Sammy Ofer Stadium with a huge amount of work to do if they are to progress to the next round.
Having held on for much of the first half in the home leg, Hamrun Spartans FC conceded 2 goals close to half time and that ended any hopes they had of causing an upset.
Hamrun Spartans FC conceded twice in the second half and this tie is out of reach.
Hamrun Spartans FC played one friendly before the first leg and they beat Birkirkara 2-0 but their most recent competitive game outside the Champions League came back in April.
This is the first foray into the Champions League for Hamrun Spartans FC and they will be hoping they can keep the score down in the second leg.
Team news: Maccabi Haifa are likely to go with the same starting XI from the first leg.
Lior Refaelov is pushing for a place in the starting XI but may have to settle for the bench.
Hamrun Spartans FC could make a couple of changes to their team form the first leg.
Brazilian Eder could replace Nemanja Krstić and Yuliyan Nenov could start in place of Elionay.
Maccabi Haifa know they have this tie in the bag and make not exert themselves greatly in this match.
That would help Hamrun Spartans FC keep the score respectable and they may even find the back of the net themselves.
We expect to see a comfortable home win, with both teams scoring.