Hapoel Beer Sheva and OFI meet with two points between them

A small gap with plenty at stake

Hapoel Beer Sheva’s recent Europa League form has been difficult: they are without a win in three matches and have lost their last two. That leaves them 30th in the 36-team league-stage standings, with one point after three games. OFI are four places and two points ahead in 26th, making this a meeting between close neighbours with a chance to shift the gap.

The standings underline the importance of the contest. OFI have three points and a goal difference of -1, while Hapoel have one point and a -5 goal difference. Both sides have played three matches in the competition.

Different competition records

Hapoel have drawn once and lost twice in the Europa League, scoring one goal and conceding six. Their only home match in the competition ended in a goalless draw, with a clean sheet.

OFI’s competition record across five matches is stronger overall: three wins and two defeats, with eight goals scored and four conceded. They have won once and lost once in two away matches, scoring three goals and conceding two. However, they also come into this fixture after two consecutive defeats, and their most recent Europa League match ended in a loss.

Absences to manage

Hapoel are without D. Biton, who has heart problems, and Lucas Ventura, who has a muscle injury. E. Peretz is inactive, while Y. Stoyanov is off the roster.

For OFI, A. Leya Iseka and N. Marinakis are unavailable with groin injuries. A. Chatzigiovanis is off the roster, while E. Chnaris and N. Christogeorgos are inactive.

The home side’s chance

The table position makes this a valuable opportunity for Hapoel to close the two-point gap, and their clean sheet in their only Europa League home match gives them something to build on. OFI’s stronger scoring record across their five competition matches is a warning, even as their current losing streak offers Hapoel an opening.

PreviaXI’s statistical model favours Hapoel, pointing to greater attacking threat from the home side. OFI’s results and goal output make them capable of scoring, but Hapoel’s home advantage could prove decisive.

Our prediction

Hapoel’s need to make up ground, combined with the model’s stronger projection for their attack, makes a narrow home win the likeliest outcome. OFI have enough scoring form to threaten, so a clean sheet looks less likely than a close contest.

Hapoel Beer Sheva 2-1 OFI