Hapoel Haifa Eyes Victory Over Maccabi Petah Tikva Amidst Lineup Questions

Hapoel Haifa, currently seventh in the league, is set to host Maccabi Petah Tikva on Saturday, aiming to rebound after their first loss of the season. Coach Haim Silvas intends to maintain lineup consistency, potentially making only one change. Chikéte Keita is expected to return to the starting eleven after playing for Mali's U-23 national team. This return likely means Chikana Diakité, who impressed in a recent friendly, will make his starting debut for Hapoel Haifa, playing alongside Alon Turgeman and Liran Rotman. Yoad Gonen will be absent from the squad due to suspension.

Injured players William Agada and Tal Na'im will also miss the match. The availability of Ariel Mandi, recovering from a calf muscle strain, is uncertain. Mandi participated in a full training session on Friday but will undergo a fitness test before the game to determine if he can start. If Mandi is unavailable, Noam Cohen is on standby to start at left-back.

Before the game, Hapoel Haifa will hold a moment of silence to honor the memory of Captain Eliab Haim Tzafalamus, a fan of the club and a former player in its youth division, who fell in southern Lebanon. The team's estimated lineup includes Yoav Jerafi; Dor Malul, Dario Župarić, Ivan Kritsyak, Noam Cohen (Ariel Mandi); Naoor Sabag, Chikéte Keita, Shi Elias; Chikana Diakité, Alon Turgeman, Liran Rotman.