Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Astana
UEFA Europa League
Date: 2nd November 2017
Kick off at 18:00 UK/ 19:00 CET
Venue: Winner Stadium (Netanya).
Just a single point is all Maccabi have to show for their efforts over the first three games in Group A. It’s been a disappointing start to the European campaign for Jordi Cruyff’s men; the son of legendary Dutch footballer Johan Cruyff will be hoping his side can turn things around with a win on home soil here. Unlike the hosts, Astana have made a reasonable start in this group. Not only did the Kazakhs achieve a thumping victory over this opponent last time out, but they also secured a pleasing point against Slavia Prague. With four points the visitors are still very much in the running.
Maccabi may have made a relatively poor start in Group A, but they are still not a team to take lightly on their own patch. Crumbling when playing away in Astana last time out was far from ideal, but the hosts really shouldn’t be dismissed on that evidence alone. Cruyff’s side now have a point to prove and, in front of a home crowd, are likely to be a different proposition. Backing Maccabi to get the win is the way to go ahead of this one.
The Israeli side have had their problems on the road, but struggle at home, they do not, even in Europe. Cruyff’s side are now unbeaten in seven at home in this competition, and have lost just one of their last 16. Such a record bodes well, as does the fact that they’ve won 11 of those 16. Not only do they boast a more than useful home record in the Europa League, but Maccabi come into this fixture off the back of two big home wins domestically, in which they scored no less than eight goals.
Maccabi offering up a pleasing home record in this competition is certainly a positive, but the real positive is the fact that Astana have famously travelled appallingly on the continent. The visitors have won just one of their last eight travelling matches in this competition, and have lost each of their last four. Their only away match in this group so far saw them go down 3-1 at Villarreal. Considering that Maccabi secured a home draw against Villarreal, things don’t look great for the visitors. On top of that, the Kazakh side come here off the back of a disappointing home defeat in the league last time out. As a result, confidence probably won’t be sky-high.
In addition to getting behind the home side to win, backing Icelandic striker Viðar Örn Kjartansson to get on the score-sheet also catches the eye. Maccabi’s centre-forward might be without a goal in the group stages of this competition so far, but he did net four times during qualifying, while he also has four goals in eight games domestically this season. In a home match that Maccabi should dominate, the forward won’t be without chances and looks a good bet to take at least one of them.
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Astana: Head to head
The demolishing 4-0 win in their first ever head to head encounter with Maccabi pushed Astana direct into the contest for the top two spots in the Europa League group.
Patrick Twumasi and Junior Kabananga bagged a brace each for Stoilov’s side and the dup will no doubts be the main threat to Maccabi’s goal this Thursday as well.
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Astana: Prediction
Maccabi have been pretty inspired up front lately and we see them as favourites here even though they suffered a disaster against the same opposition two weeks ago.
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Astana: Bet Tips
The first pick is Maccabi Tel Aviv DNB at the odds of 1.57.
The second option would be Maccabi Tel Aviv Over 1.5 Team Goals at the odds of 2.25.
