Israeli Premier League Round Two Preview Highlights Key Team Stats and Historical Trends
The Israeli Premier League's second round features several intriguing matchups with notable historical and recent performance trends. On Saturday at 20:00, Hapoel Petah Tikva hosts Hapoel Jerusalem. In their last seven league meetings, Hapoel Jerusalem won five times, with Petah Tikva's sole victory being a 1-0 playoff win in May 2024. Petah Tikva has endured a difficult run, including a 13-game winless streak last season and five consecutive losses including Toto Cup matches this season, scoring only three goals in six official games. Hapoel Jerusalem has lost in the second round for the past three seasons but won the last second-round meeting between these teams in 1971/72.
Also on Saturday, Hapoel Ramat Gan faces Hapoel Be’er Sheva. Be’er Sheva won their last encounter 2-0 in the 2018 State Cup but has not won an away league game against Ramat Gan since 2001. Ramat Gan previously defeated Be’er Sheva 3-0 in February 2013. Be’er Sheva has started the last six seasons with a win, last losing a league opener in 2011/12. Coach Masai Dego has a winning record against Ran Kozuch, having beaten him twice in 2023/24.
Other notable matches include Bnei Sakhnin versus Maccabi Petah Tikva, where Petah Tikva has won only once in their last 13 league meetings, and Ironi Kiryat Shmona hosting Ironi Tiberias, with Kiryat Shmona winless in second-round matches since 2015/16. Beitar Jerusalem plays Maccabi Netanya, with Beitar holding a strong recent record including an 8-2 away win last season. Hapoel Haifa meets Hapoel Tel Aviv, with Tel Aviv holding a slight edge historically but only two wins in their last 18 league games against Haifa.
On Monday, Maccabi Tel Aviv faces Maccabi Haifa in their 188th league meeting. Maccabi Tel Aviv leads with 78 wins to Haifa’s 54, with 55 draws. Haifa won 1-4 at home in January 2024 but has since suffered three heavy defeats to Tel Aviv. The teams have not met in the second round since 1989/90. Maccabi Tel Aviv has started the last four seasons with perfect records and remains unbeaten at home in 2026 across all competitions.
These fixtures highlight ongoing rivalries, recent form, and historical data that set the stage for an exciting second round in Israeli football.
