Southampton will head to Israel well aware that if they pick up another big win they will be a shoe in for qualification.
Hapoel Be’er Sheva secured a superb opening day win against Inter in their first Europa League match of the season. The team will now believe they have what it takes to beat any team in the competition and will have absolutely no fear at all heading into this one against a Southampton side who on their day are terrific, but are not always at their best. The side will feel that if they can get all three in this one they will be an absolute shoe in for qualification from the group.
After losing Ronald Koeman, Southampton will be hoping that what they have worked so hard to build over the past few years does not fall apart around their ears. The side have bags of quality in their ranks but it remains to be seen whether new manager Claude Puel will be able to handle the pace of the premier league. The team thrashed West Ham last time out and secured a good home win against Sparta in their opening Europa League match.
These two sides have never met before which means there is little previous information for us to go on. Southampton certainly ply their trade in the tougher of the two leagues but that is no reason to rule Sheva out of this one. The team have real quality and with an absolutely bonkers home support behind them will undoubtedly take the game to the Saints. Southampton may not have experienced an atmosphere like the one they will encounter on Thursday but with so many seasoned pros in their ranks it should not be an issue.
I am edging towards the draw in this one. Southampton are hitting a little bit of form at the moment and I think they will get something from this tough and organised Sheva side. Double the draw with both sides to score and then add to that Austin to continue his decent run of goal scorer form and break the deadlock. The former QPR man has hit the ground running this season and will be after another goal in this one.
Head To Head
This is the first meeting between these two sides.
Stats
Hapoel Be'er Sheva have won 89% of their last nine home games, including 100% of their three home games in Europe. Southampton have lost 67% of their trips away this season.
Team News
Hapoel Be'er Sheva are expecting to have a fully fit squad on Thursday.
Jay Rodriguez and Sofiane Boufal are going to be missing until mid-October, whilst new signing Jeremy Pied is out for the rest of the season with an ACL knee injury.
