Maccabi Tel Aviv Faces Key Decision Ahead of Toto Cup Final Derby

Maccabi Tel Aviv is set to face Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Toto Cup final on Thursday, with the first trophy of the season on the line. The primary lineup decision for Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Kenny Miller revolves around who will start as the striker between Esther Sukler and Elad Madmon.

Oshir Doida is expected to return to the starting eleven, displacing Shagiv Ezekiel, who is likely to move to left-back to cover for the injured Ben Harush. While there was a possibility of Roi Meshpati starting in goal over Ofek Malika, the coaching staff has not indicated a change in that position during training.

Maccabi Tel Aviv will be without five foreign players due to injuries: Kristian Blic, Tyris Asante, and Yon Nikolascu, as well as the injured Ben Harush. The left-back position has been further strained by the departure of Revivo and Harush's injury, leaving only Shahar Rosen as a natural left-back. Grupper is still recovering from an ACL injury and is not expected to return until after the international break.

The club expressed anticipation for the derby, stating, "One game that has it all. Prestige, a trophy, and a sporting fight for the city. You don't need more than that. A full stadium, come to enjoy and give everything. It's a game every player wants to be on the pitch for."

The projected starting lineup includes Ofek Malika, Shagiv Ezekiel, Mohamed Camara, Raz Shlomo, James Tavernier, Iffy Cissoko, Dor Peretz, Gabi Kanyukovsky, Oshir Doida, Helio Varela, and either Elad Madmon or Esther Sukler.