Maccabi Tel-Aviv vs Ironi Kiryat Shmona

30/01/2012

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Today’s secondary featured game is the Israeli Ligat Ha’al game between sleeping giants Maccabi Tel-Aviv and league leaders Ironi Kiryat Shmona.

Maccabi Tel-Aviv have a decent home record but there’s one notable aspect of their displays that concerns me and it’s that they make a mess of it whenever they face a big team or play a derby. They seem to bottle it and lose or draw, which explains almost all of the points that they’ve dropped at home this season. They enter this game on the back of disheartening 2-1 loss at Maccabi Haifa due to a last-gasp goal which again demonstrates their lack of composure in the big games. Their two most important defenders Vered and Pavicevic both sit this game out too, which definitely doesn’t help. All in all, Maccabi Tel-Aviv’s season is rapidly fading into mediocrity and without the backbone of their team available, it’s hard to see that run improving, especially with pacey Bosnia-Herzegovina attacker Medunjanin ready to walk out of the club. Maccabi Tel-Aviv have good strikers but you really have to question where their ammunition will come from, especially without Medunjanin, so again, I have my concerns for today’s hosts.

I’m astounded that Ironi Kiryat Shmona are still top of the table but my hat goes off to them for it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an Israeli side quite so discplined and well-organised. The fact that they’re unbeaten on the road this season speaks volumes for the terrific work that Ben Shimon is doing behind the scenes. Importantly, striker Badash finally returns to the squad although he’s expected to start from the bench. This will ease the pressure on leading goalscorer Abuhatzira. Njobvu and Gazal are still out in midfield for the visitors and that’s not ideal for them but Ben Shimon has set this side up as a hard unit to beat and they very much play as a team so I can’t see them crumbling here, especially not against their temperamental hosts. With eight wins from eleven away games already under their belt this season, I really fancy the league leaders to continue their astounding run today against their more illustrious hosts, especially following their morale-boosting cup victory over Hapoel Tel-Aviv last time out.

For me, there’s tremendous value on the away win with draw no bet cover at 9/10 with the above in mind.

Verdict: Ironi Kiryat Shmona to win with draw no bet at 9/10.

Monday’s Picks

As ever, if there are any explanations required then please feel free to post a comment! For the remainder of my thoughts on today’s games, see below, although I feel compelled to write that the below are not necessarily my tips but merely my thoughts to prevent endless questions about my thoughts on certain games!

African Nations:

Sudan vs Burkina Faso (5) 1-1
Ivory Coast vs Angola (7) 2-1

Israeli Ligat Ha’al:

Maccabi Tel-Aviv vs Ironi Kiryat Shmona (6) 0-1

Portuguese Liga Sagres:

Maritimo Funchal vs Sporting Braga (7) 0-0

Spanish Primera Liga:

Osasuna vs Atletico Madrid (7) 1-2

Turkish Super Lig:

Kayserispor vs Besiktas JK (6) 1-1

Enjoy your free betting tips!