Maccabi Tel Aviv hosts HJK Helsinki at Bloomfield Stadium for the fourth day of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.
With seven points from three games, the Israeli team is now leading the race for the qualifying round of the 16 finals from the first house.
They also scored the highest number of goals in the competition at this point with 10, including five against HJK in the reverse game last month.
Gabriel Kanichovsky gave them a slim 1-0 lead at the break before rioting in the second half, establishing the pool position.
HJK, meanwhile, are in third place with three points, having won just once so far – a 4-2 away win over Alaskart on game day two.
It was also the only game in which they managed to find the back of the net, having caused a rift in the other two clashes.
Another setback on Thursday will actually end their poor knockout hopes, provided Alaskart manages to beat NASK on a LASK.
Maccabi Tel Aviv against HJK head to head
Before the confrontation last month, the parties met twice in the second qualifying round of the Champions League in 2004, in which the Israeli team won 1-0 overall.
The meeting between them last month was a trivial matter, when Tel Aviv escaped with a huge 5-0 victory in Helsinki.
Form guide for Maccabi Tel Aviv (all competitions): WLWLW
HJK Form Guide (All Contests): DWWLW
News of the Maccabi Tel Aviv team against HJK
Maccabi Tel Aviv
Avi Rikan has a calf muscle strain while Maor Kandil has a groin injury.
None of them are expected to perform on Thursday.
Sharan Yeni, who missed their match this weekend due to the suspension, is available again for selection.
injured: Avi Rikan, Maor Kandil
suspended: nobody
Not available: nobody
HJK
Jacob Tenderer is still recovering from a finger injury and will therefore miss the tackle on Thursday.
Unless there are late casualties, he should be the only one missing for now.
injured: Jacob Tenander
suspended: nobody
Not available: nobody
Maccabi Tel Aviv against HJK Predicted XI
Maccabi Tel Aviv (4-3-3): Daniel Peretz; Andre Geralds, Shahar Phiben, Luis Hernandez, Enrique Saborit; Eyal Golsa, Dan Glazer, Dan Bitton; Brandy Quass, Stipe Discharge, Gabriel Knichowski.
HJK (4-2-3-1): Hugo Keto; Jan Sexella, Miro Tanhu, Daniel Oshonsi, Walter Moran; Santeri Väänänen, Jair; Rico Risky, Philip Valencic, David Brown; Too bad risk.
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s forecast against HJK
Maccabi Tel Aviv really made the list in the competition so far and would like to stop here.
HJK exploded in the first game and if they fail to perform a miracle, they are set for another loss.
Read alsoThe article continues below
prophecy: Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-0 HJK
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