Maccabi Tel Aviv Hosts Hapoel Jerusalem in Israeli Premier League Opener

Maccabi Tel Aviv is set to face Hapoel Jerusalem on Sunday evening at the new stadium in Rehovot in the opening round of the Israeli Premier League. This match comes between Maccabi Tel Aviv's two Conference League playoff games against Lugano, where they recently won 2-1 away. Historically, Maccabi Tel Aviv has dominated this fixture, winning the last 10 encounters across all competitions, including six 2-1 victories, and has not lost an away game to Hapoel Jerusalem since October 1998. They also have a strong record of winning their season openers, having not lost since a 3-1 defeat in Sakhnin five years ago.

Hapoel Jerusalem, coached by Lior Zada, has struggled to win their league openers since the 1998/99 season. The team hopes to surprise with key players like Vitali Damshkan, young Israel Dafa, and Omri Abuhav, who will all start alongside Sharani Zubero, making his first appearance. Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Kenny Miller named Noam Ben Harush, Itay Ben Hamo, and Itamar Noy in the starting lineup, with Said Abu Farhi on the bench possibly for his farewell before transferring to Colorado Rapids.

The match referee is Gal Levi. The league table currently shows Maccabi Petah Tikva, Maccabi Haifa, and Beitar Jerusalem leading after the first round, with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem yet to earn points. Upcoming fixtures include Maccabi Netanya vs. Bnei Sakhnin and postponed matches involving Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Hapoel Haifa, Hapoel Tel Aviv, and Beitar Jerusalem scheduled for early September.