Maccabi Haifa Faces Uncertainty Ahead of Maccabi Netanya Match

Maccabi Haifa is set to host Maccabi Netanya on Saturday at 5:30 PM, aiming for a victory before the international break. The team, coached by Barak Bakhar, is looking to rebound after recent losses to Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Hapoel Tel Aviv. Midfielder Eitan Azulay will miss the match due to accumulating five yellow cards, with Yarin Levy expected to take his place in the starting lineup. Levy has impressed from the bench in recent games and has been called up to the national team.

Coach Bakhar has opted to keep the starting lineup a secret, choosing not to practice a full formation in the final training session. The players will only be informed of their positions during the tactical briefing before the game. Eli Dasa and Nigel Lonwijk are confirmed starters, and Noam Shtayfman, returning from suspension, will also be available. Kenny Saief is favored at left-back over Ilay Betay and Tsunami Wanderson, who started the last two matches.

There is also a decision to be made on the left wing, as captain Kengi Hura was benched in the previous game, with Iyad Hallaili starting in his place. One of them will play alongside Pedro Brazão and Andrija Novakovich. Despite the league standings, Maccabi Haifa is not underestimating Netanya, who defeated them twice last season and possess a fast attacking front that could challenge Haifa's defense.

"We are coming off two losses, and we want to continue the second half from Bloomfield against Netanya as well. It won't be easy, but we need the points," a source from Maccabi Haifa stated ahead of the encounter. The projected starting lineup includes Omri Glazer; Eli Dasa, Nigel Lonwijk, Tsunami Wanderson (Noam Shtayfman), Kenny Saief; Ali Muhammad, Yarin Levy, Bruninho; Pedro Brazão, Kengi Hura (Iyad Hallaili), and Andrija Novakovich.