Maccabi Tel Aviv open the 22nd round of TASE Premier League action on Monday and it will be the first time ever that they launch a round of matches on this day. Usually, Monday is reserved for the highlighted fixture of the round, but we are beginning a mid-week series of league fixtures.

On 13 occasions, however, Maccabi have opened a round when matches were also played on a Friday ahead of the main day of action, Saturday.

These two sides have met on 17 occasions in the league. Maccabi have won 14 times, there has been one draw and Ra’anana have won twice. The goal difference is 37-7. When Maccabi are the home team, the record is six wins for the hosts against two losses.

The success rate against our opponents is 84 percent, higher than against any other opponents that Maccabi have played at least 12 times in the league.

Striker Tal Ben Haim was the most prolific scorer against Ra’anana, with six goals, Eran Zahavi is second with four.

The first meeting between the two sides was in 1999 when Maccabi beat their opponents 3-1 in extra time in the State Cup. The goals were scored by Alon Ophir, Eli Driks and Ophir Haim. Ra’anana were then a third division team.

Current captain Sheran Yeini has a special record against Monday’s rivals — a 100 percent record of seven wins in seven appearances. He is the only active player to have met them more than five times.

Yeini scored the longest goal from distance against these opponents, 24 metres, in the 3-0 win over them in 2009-10.

A rarely remembered stat is that central defender Eitan Tibi once turned out for Ra’anana when they played in the second division in 2007-08.

Monas Dabbur scored the quickest goal against Ra’anana in 2013-14 when he netted after 34 seconds. It was Maccabi’s seventh fastest league goal ever.

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s tight schedule continues on Monday with a home clashe in the 22nd round of the TASE Premier League against Hapoel Ra’anana at 20:15 and striker Itay Shechter and his teammates will look to reopen a gap of eight points over nearest challengers Maccabi Haifa.

“We need to forget about the game against Hapoel Beersheba and look ahead to the next game. Certainly we can take the good things from that game but the next one is much more important,” Shechter said.

“Every game for us from now on is like a cup final and we need to win them all. We’ve seen how easy it is to drop points in a moment and we need to be able to concentrate at all times.”

“It will be a tough game against a team that makes life difficult for all their opponents. They are good at defending and on the counter attack but we have to look only at our own abilities, to be strong and end the game with a victory.”

“We’re going to need the crowd’s energy to spur us on from the start because they help us improve our level and get the results we need.”

Coach Vladimir Ivic spoke ahead of Maccabi Tel Aviv’s home clash with Hapoel Ra’anana at Bloomfield on Monday (kickoff 20:15) and expects another difficult game against a team that will present a challenge for the league leaders. Three points are what is needed, he said.

Feb. 3 – Maccabi Tel Aviv v. Hapoel Ra’anana, Bloomfield, 20:15.

Tomorrow’s clash will see Vladimir Ivic send his men out again as they look to increase their lead in the standings over Maccabi Haifa, at least temporarily. Your support will be more important than ever so click the banner to take advantage of the special offer to purchase tickets for the next three games.

Feb. 6 – Transfer window closes.

The second and last transfer window of the season closes, so keep an eye out for developments through the official club app where updates on player transfers news will appear first.

Feb. 8 – Hapoel Haifa v. Maccabi Tel Aviv, Sammy Ofer, 19.50.

We return to the scene of our great victory over Maccabi Haifa last month and the home meeting with Beitar Jerusalem for an away clash with Hapoel Haifa in the 23rd round of action as we look to follow up our 3-0 win at Bloomfield earlier this season with another victory. That result was one of our better performances recently.

Feb. 16 – Maccabi Tel Aviv v. Hapoel Kiryat Shmona, Bloomfield, 20:15

The first of two consecutive home games will pit us against our northern-most opponents who are struggling at the lower end of the standings. They need vital points to steer clear of trouble as the season enters its final phase.

Feb. 24 – Maccabi Tel Aviv v. Hapoel Tel Aviv, Bloomfield, 20:15

Just two more matches to go until the end of the second phase and we get to host our arch-rivals, Hapoel Tel Aviv, for the second time this season. There is always huge tension and a great thrill when these two sides clash and following the 3-0 win the first time around, Maccabi will be looking to maintain their mastery of the city as they seek another league title.

The date of the game against Maccabi Netanya which will conclude the second phase is still to be set.