Maccabi Tel Aviv will attempt to keep up the positive momentum when they take on Maccabi Petah Tikva on Matchday 35 of the Ligat Ha’Al Championship Playoffs. This will be the seventh time the clubs will be kicking off this campaign as they’ve played each other in the State Cup, Toto Cup and in the League.

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Who is in the squad?
As you’re aware, Maccabi Tel Aviv will be playing in the State Cup Final against Bnei Yehuda and it will be interesting to see who will be playing for Head Coach Lito Vidigal in this match as he may rotate the players. Both Dor Micha and central defender Tal Ben Haim won’t be available due to yellow card accumulation and Vidigal is also aware that there are three players whom may miss the State Cup Final should they receive a yellow card in this evening’s match – Predrag Rajikovic, Eitan Tibi and Avi Rikan. Maccabi has collected 72 points so far this season in Ligat Ha’Al action.

Maccabi Petah Tikva needs to record a victory should they have a chance to remain in the picture for third place and a guaranteed spot in Europa League qualification. Currently, Petah Tikva sits in 4th place and any result other than a win will eliminate them from third place contention. Central defender Elisson dos Santos and striker Guy Melamed will not be available for Koby Refuah’s squad.

What did they say?
Prior to the match Head Coach Lito Vidigal said: “Sometimes I make changes and there are moments that I need to make a certain change because I don’t have all of the players to choose from. I believe in all of the players that are here and they are all professionals who will give everything that they have. They know that they are in a big team and they have to take advantage of the chances that they have. All the games that are left are very important and we want to win all of the games.”

Eliel Peretz also was present at the press conference and said: “We work hard at training and we wait for our chance to perform on the pitch, it’s as simple as that. When you don’t play it’s always disappointing as you always want to be in the picture. Of course I was upset that I didn’t play earlier in the year but that is part of football. Everyone helps out and supports one another. We are always together as a team.”

Did you know?
Maccabi has won seven of the last 8 matches they’ve played against Maccabi Petah Tikva.
In the last 6 of seven matches, Maccabi has scored two goals or less per game. Kjaratansson, the club’s leading scorer needs just one more goal for a total of 20 in league play.