Nissan Kniyas Predicts Beitar Jerusalem to Win 2026/27 Israeli Premier League

As the 2026/27 Israeli Premier League season kicks off on August 22 with three matches, including Maccabi Haifa hosting Hapoel Ramat Gan at Sammy Ofer Stadium, football analyst Nissan Kniyas shared his season predictions. Kniyas forecasts Beitar Jerusalem to claim the championship, citing their strong squad and readiness to improve on last season's runner-up finish. He notes that defending champions Hapoel Be'er Sheva, despite securing European competition and likely Champions League qualification, will struggle to retain the title due to the challenges of balancing domestic and continental play.

Regarding relegation, Kniyas expects Ironi Tiberias and Hapoel Jerusalem to drop out of the top division. Tiberias faces difficulties amid ongoing controversies and point deductions, while Hapoel Jerusalem appears to be entering its weakest season in years following the departure of long-time coach Ziv Arie.

Kniyas highlights key individual performers: Omri Atsili of Beitar Jerusalem as Player of the Season, Lucas Ventura of Hapoel Be'er Sheva as Best Foreign Player, and Igor Zlatanovic of Hapoel Be'er Sheva as the top scorer, predicting Zlatanovic will surpass his 15 goals from last year. He also identifies Yaad Gonen of Hapoel Haifa as the breakout player and names Douglas Aveso of Hapoel Tel Aviv as the season's biggest disappointment, given the high expectations from his 2.5 million euro transfer fee.

The predicted top playoff teams are Beitar Jerusalem, Hapoel Tel Aviv, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Maccabi Haifa, and Maccabi Netanya. Kniyas also provides his ideal starting lineup featuring players from these clubs, emphasizing the blend of talent expected to shape the season.