Hamrun Spartans vs. Maccabi Haifa: Preview and betting tips

On Tuesday, the Champions League, or rather its initial phase, returns. The opening preliminary rounds await the champions of Malta and Israel, with Maccabi Haifa coming to Hamrun Spartans. What to expect from the match and what to bet on?

Hamrun swept through the league last year with only one loss in 26 rounds, leading the table by 19 points. However, their preparation for the new season is not ideal, having already crashed out of the Maltese FA Trophy in the quarter-finals, scoring only twice in the last two games.

Haifa are in a similar position. They also dominated the Israeli competition with a seven-point lead, but won only one of their three friendlies. On the other hand, they have chosen rather difficult opponents – Slavia, Cluj and St. Polten.

Hamrun’s key figures

The club’s biggest offensive weapon Elvis Mashike left the club after the end of his contract, as did productive midfielder Matthew Guillaumier, so the responsibility will be on winger Jonny, who struck five times and assisted seven last season.

Haifa’s key figures

Surinamese midfielder Tjaronn Chery is a long-time mainstay for the visitors, at 35 he netted 14 goals and assisted seven times last season. Senegalese Abdoulaye Seck is a defensive certainty, scoring seven times in addition to his defensive confidence.

Hamrun is strong at home, even going six games unbeaten here. As for the home unbeaten run, it goes back to last August, when they lost to Levski Sofia in the third round of the Conference League.

In any case, Maccabi is a level above the cup level. Last year it made it through three preliminary rounds to the Champions League group stage, knocking out Greece’s Olympiakos, Cyprus’ Apollon Limassol and Serbia’s Crvena Zvezda along the way, then managing to beat Juventus.

Considering Maccabi’s cup experience (Champions League group last year, Conference League the year before) and Hamrun’s not-so-functional offense, I think Maccabi will win and score at least twice.

Source: UEFA