Maccabi Haifa are set to take on Panathinaikos for the very first time when they meet at the Sammy Ofer Stadium in Group F of the Europa League on Thursday night.
After losing their opening game against Rennes, the hosts are bottom of the group, while the visitors are up in second place thanks to a solid victory against Villarreal.
Match preview
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Maccabi Haifa came close to qualifying for the Champions League, reaching the playoff round, but they ultimately had to settle for the Europa League group stages, losing 3-0 to Young Boys on aggregate.
However, the Greens have not made the best of starts to their European campaign, losing 3-0 at Roazhon Park against Rennes in their opening game, in a match where they were dominated from start to finish, recording just two shots on target, while their opponents amassed 11.
Despite winning the Israeli league title by seven points last season, the reigning champions have struggled somewhat at the beginning of the campaign under the helm of new manager Messay Dego, collecting six points from their opening four games.
Last time out, however, MHA put in a promising performance, at least in an attacking sense, picking up a 3-2 win away at Netanya, with Tjarron Chery scoring from the penalty spot in the first half, before Frantzdy Pierrot bagged a brace.
That said, the Israeli side may have to be at their best if they are to take anything from Thursday's game, as Panathinaikos have made a very promising start to the 2023-24 campaign.
Although the Shamrock also dropped out of Champions League qualification in the playoff round, they made a very impressive start to their Europa League campaign, recording a 2-0 win at home against 2020-21 winners Villarreal.
Courtesy of goals from Fotis Ioannidis and Andraz Sporar, Ivan Jovanovic's side are second in the group at this early stage, and they have also looked solid in their domestic league, having taken 13 points from their opening six games.
The Greek side are looking to win their first league title since the 2009-10 season, but they have struggled against some of the better sides in the division, losing 2-1 at home against AEK Athens, before drawing 2-2 against PAOK on their own turf last time out.
However, Panathinaikos are the only team to have a perfect away record in the Greek league, having won their opening three games on the road, which should give them confidence heading into Thursday's trip to Israel.
Team News
Maccabi Haifa are still missing midfielder Sun Menahem, who is yet to play a part this season due to injury, while Dolev Haziza remains sidelined as a result of an Achilles injury which has ruled him out of the last four matches.
Pierrot is the danger man for the hosts, having scored three goals in his last two games, and the 26-year-old is poised to lead the line, with Eric Shuranov and Anan Khalaili set to support him from the flanks.
As for Panathinaikos, Georgios Vagiannidis is still absent, having missed the last five games with a muscle injury, meaning Giannis Kotsiras is set to keep his place at right-back.
Alexander Jeremejeff scored a stoppage-time equaliser against PAOK last time out, having been brought on as a substitute, so the 29-year-old could come into the side at striker, replacing Ioannidis.
Maccabi Haifa possible starting lineup:
Kaiuf; Sundgren, Seck, Goldberg, Cornud; Mohamed, Chery, Show; Khalaili, Shuranov, Pierrot
Panathinaikos possible starting lineup:
Brignoli; Kotsiras, Jedvaj, Schenkeveld, Juankar; Bernard, Arao, Djuricic, Cerin, Palacios; Ioannidis
We say: Maccabi Haifa 1-1 Panathinaikos
Maccabi Haifa looked very poor away at Rennes in their opening Europa League game, while Panathinaikos picked up a solid 2-0 win against Villarreal.
However, given that the Israeli side have home advantage, they should be able to pick up at least a point, in what is the first-ever competitive meeting between the two clubs.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
