Maccabi Tel Aviv Expected to Reach EuroLeague Playoffs, Analysts Predict

Maccabi Tel Aviv enters the upcoming EuroLeague season with significant expectations following an active offseason. Ahead of the league's opening in less than three weeks, the EuroStep-Pod podcast convened to discuss the team's prospects for the 2026/2027 season. The panel extensively analyzed the team's outlook, with multiple analysts predicting a playoff appearance.

Analyst Omer Lotem stated that Maccabi should aim for at least a play-in tournament spot, calling it a failure if they don't achieve this. He listed several teams he believes have stronger rosters, including Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, Real Madrid, Dubai, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Fenerbahce, and potentially Anadolu Efes on paper. Lotem suggested that if Maccabi fails to make the play-in, it would represent a European failure under coach Oded Katash.

Amit Nir added that Maccabi belongs in a tier with teams like Zalgiris, Milan, and Crvena Zvezda, and potentially behind Barcelona. He believes that if Maccabi can secure home-court advantage for half the season, they could compete for sixth or seventh place. Nir praised Oded Katash as one of the best coaches in the EuroLeague and noted that Maccabi made excellent targeted reinforcements, possessing a frontcourt capable of competing at a playoff level.

Sahar Shoham agreed that the team's summer moves were very good and that a playoff berth is a realistic goal. He predicted Maccabi would finish in the play-in tournament range and make the playoffs.

The podcast's specific predictions varied: Lotem and Shoham forecast a ninth-place finish, making the playoffs, and being eliminated in the first round. Nir predicted a tenth-place finish and missing the playoffs, while Omer Sharabi also predicted a ninth-place finish and missing the playoffs.