Monday night’s clash at Sammy Ofer Stadium between Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv (kickoff 20:15) brings together second against first in the TASE Premier League, a fixture that has often been dubbed as a “Match of the Season” or the “Israeli Classico.” The statistics over many years certainly back this up.

The two outfits are Israel’s most successful clubs and have won most championships (Maccabi Tel Aviv with 23 and Maccabi Haifa on 12). The meeting between them is also the most played among Israeli teams (160 matches).

The record between the clubs stands at 65 wins for Tel Aviv, 47 draws and 48 wins for Haifa and the goal difference favours Tel Aviv at 228-198.

The two have also played in European club competitions more than any other Israeli teams (Tel Aviv 20 times and Haifa 18) and each has participated in the Champions’ League group stage twice.

Over the years, the two clubs have sent the most representatives to the national team: 18 percent of national team players from Tel Aviv and 15 percent from Haifa.

Since the 2013-14 season, the scales have tipped markedly in favour of Tel Aviv, who have had 16 wins, six draws and only one defeat, but will that momentum be maintained?

Since the 1-1 draw between the two clubs in the 35th and penultimate round of action last season, Maccabi Tel Aviv have notched nine consecutive away wins in the league. It is the second-longest run for Maccabi, but is still well behind their own best run of 19 consecutive away wins, registered in 1952.

Maccabi’s last away defeat was the 3-2 loss to Beitar Jerusalem at Teddy Stadium in April 2018 and if they don’t lose on Monday, they will equal the all-time record of 30 consecutive away matches without defeat which was set by Maccabi Haifa in 1995.

Proportionately, Maccabi’s record at Sammy Ofer Stadium against all clubs is the best of any Israeli outfit. There have been a total of 188 league matches played at the stadium since it opened in 2014 and of the 18 clubs who have played there, Maccabi’s record stands at 61 percent (eight wins, seven draws and two defeats). Maccabi Haifa, who have played 100 matches at their home ground, are only sixth in the success rate rankings, at 53 percent.

Maccabi’s success rate against Maccabi Haifa at Sammy Ofer is even better, and stands at 70 percent (five wins, four draws and no defeats).

Over the years, the fixture between the two clubs has accrued the highest aggregate attendance for any Israeli match. It currently stands at 1,993,000 spectators, and the two-million mark is certain to be broken on Monday.

Indeed, the two Israeli league matches with the highest attendance ever recorded were between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa in 1993. Both were played at Ramat Gan Stadium and both ended in 1-1 draws.

The two clubs also lead all others in attendances this season, Tel Aviv with an average of 22,620 and Haifa on 21,140 spectators per game.

Regardless of the result on Monday, both clubs will retain the top two places in the league in the 17th round and this last happened between the two clubs in 1993-94. Both have also shared the two top spots in the 17th round two other times, in 1966-68 (double season) and in 1969-70. In all three cases, the team in first place always went on to win the league. The first two times it was Tel Aviv’s crown, and in 1993-94, Haifa won the league.

Both clubs are looking strong and for the first time since 2009-10, they have amassed at least a 77 percent success rate as the leading clubs. Maccabi are currently on 83 percent, Haifa are on 77 percent.

Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Dan Glazer is hoping to be in the fray for the Israeli “classico” on Monday and although he’s faced Maccabi Haifa before, this meeting has an added significance, with the in-form opposition hot on Maccabi’s heels in second place in the standings just three points off the pace.

 

 

Glazer sounded assured as he spoke to us on the morning of the match.

“We enter the game with confidence, we come in to the clash after two games in which we played really well and won impressively. I think we are ready, we have been prepared well by the training staff,” he said in a conference call. “I think the record shows that we are hungrier for this game than our opponents.”

The anticipation of playing against major opposition in a crucial game was generating positive energy, Glazer said. 

“We are usually much more vigilant for big games, the team which will be more aggressive will control the game and that will be the difference. Both teams are of similar quality but a good start will be important, it always is in this sort of game,” he predicted.

“I respect every player in the league, particularly Maccabi Haifa players who have shown their class this season. We know that we will have a very difficult game against them, particularly in defence and midfield and we will have to back each other up. We will need to impress on our opponents that we want this game more than they do.”

Glazer praised the hard work and methods of coach Vladimir Ivic and credited him with Maccabi’s successes this season.

“The team that Ivic has prepared has the entire team defending and helping the defensive unit to ensure they are able to do their job as best as possible.

He has shaped us all so that we are able to play so well defensively.”

Before rushing off to join his teammates as they make their final preparations, Glazer exuded confidence and professionalism.

“This game is no different to any other, 22 players will be working hard to get a result for their own team but I am certain in our ability to prevail. Our loss to Umm El Fahm was a momentary lapse but we have been training hard ever since and we are battling each other to gain our place in the lineup as we have a big squad and everybody wants to play.”

In-form Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder Avi Rikan spoke to reporters ahead if Monday’s big TASE Premier League clash between the league leaders and Maccabi Haifa, who are in second place in the standings, three points behind and said he was confident of a good result and a great occasion.

“We are feeling good, everything is in place and we want to win tomorrow. I am happy that I have been given a chance to prove myself and I want to succeed.

“Tomorrow will be a tactical challenge. The opening minutes will be important for both teams and Sammy Ofer stadium will be a great place for each side to test out the opposition.”

He said that there was every reason to think the match would be a memorable occasion, although regardless of the result, with so much of the season still remaining, even a win and a six-point gap at the top did not guarantee anything.

“Both clubs are in good form and many players are in good shape. The forwards and midfield work hard to help out the defenders. The midfield will be important to win the ball and we will need to be ready.”

“We want to take three points from the game. It will be a big stage and we want to be part of the occasion, but it is just three more points. Tomorrow’s game is very significant although we can’t be sure what will happen further down the line, we may lead by six points if we win but it does not guarantee anything for us.”

Rikan could not explain why Maccabi had been stronger in away fixtures than at home, although he did not think it made much of a difference for such a dominant club.

“It’s hard to say why we have dropped points at home. Bloomfield is an important place for us but we always want to win, no matter where we play.

“There is definitely a stir before the game, it will be good to be a part of this game but I’ll wait to see tomorrow’s lineup to see if I’m even included. It’s important for me to be a presence on the field, even if I don’t score or give assists, the club is very important to me and I’m working very hard.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv maintained their place at the top of the TASE Premier League standings in December thanks to some excellent player performances and it’s now time to pick the BSR Player of December.

One lucky supporter will win two tickets to a Maccabi home game, a signed team shirt and a team scarf. The prizes will be presented at Maccabi’s official shop by your BSR Player of the Month winner.

All you need to do is to pick the player of your choice from the list below. The ballot is open until Sunday at 14:00.

On Sunday at 17:00, all the fans who voted for the winning player will receive a text message to their mobile phones. The first question recipient to send back the correct answer will win the prize.