Petah Tikva Coach Tweaks Lineup for Beer Sheva Clash

Hapoel Petah Tikva coach Omer Peretz is expected to make two changes to his starting lineup for Sunday's match against Hapoel Beer Sheva. Stav Israeli is set to return in a three-defender formation, with Avishai Cohen maintaining his role on the right flank. Roey David, who came on as a substitute against Maccabi Haifa, will also rejoin the starting eleven, replacing the injured Frank Rolier.

This tactical shift means Peretz will again opt to leave Shavit Mazal out of the starting lineup, effectively playing without a traditional striker. The forward position will likely be filled by one of three players: Klay, Karim Kimbo, or David, a strategy not previously tested by the coach.

In addition to Mazal, who had transfer offers in the summer that Petah Tikva rejected, Guy Badash's standing in the team has diminished. The midfielder, acquired from Hapoel Jerusalem, has not received significant playing time and was not included in the squad for the last two games. Sources close to Badash suggest the club is signaling his departure.

Meanwhile, Ivorian player Ib Eric Billa is scheduled for medical tests and is expected to sign a one-year contract with an option for the club to purchase his rights from Ludogorets. Roey Zrihan or Itay Ben Shabbat are likely to replace Oral Dgani in the squad, as Dgani hopes to finalize his contract with MS Ashdod today. Under the agreement, Ashdod will assume Dgani's entire contract and pay Petah Tikva approximately 150,000 shekels in compensation.

The projected starting lineup includes Omer Katz, Avishai Cohen, Stav Israeli, Diego Arroyo, Yazan Nasser, Boni Amine, Karim Kimbo, Tomer Altman, Roey David, and Klay.