Maccabi Tel Aviv vs FC Porto Prediction & Betting Tips (30 January)

Getting off to a bad start in this phase of the League with 4 consecutive defeats, Maccabi Tel Aviv regained hope before the holidays by winning in quick succession ahead of Besiktas 1-3 and Rigas FC 2-1, two successes which allowed them to move up the rankings. However, the Israelis saw their chances of climbing into the top 24 reduced to almost nothing after their setback last week against Bodo/Glimt and they are now 3 lengths behind 24th. At the same time, the Yellows are in 2nd position in their championship, 3 lengths behind the leader. After being able to win against Maccabi Netanya 4-1, they will hope to continue against Maccabi Haifa next weekend. For its part, FC Porto is not at all at the expected level in this Europa League.

Often performing well in the Champions League in previous seasons, this club is now in 25th place in the C3 standings at the dawn of this final day and is therefore not even virtually qualified for the play-offs. Very average at the moment, the Portuguese still took a point against Anderlecht 2-2 then beat Midtjylland 2-0 before failing against Olympiakos last week 0-1. At the same time, the Dragons are in 3rd place in the ranking, 4 units behind the leader, Sporting. Beaten twice by Nacional 2-0 and Gil Vicente 3-1, they will try to restart the machine against Santa Clara on Sunday.

The Maccabi Tel Aviv let go of the international defender Bitton, who did not play in this league phase, during the winter transfer window. Still at the club, the holder Jehezkel and the Kanichowsky framework environment are injured and they should not appear on the match sheet this week. The Brazilian striker Patati, author of a goal and 3 assists in the Europa League, will return to him after having been suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards. With his 9 goals scored in the league, the young Turgeman is the most prolific player as Portuguese side, the crucial Grujic will not be able to play this Thursday.

Same observation for Absent for a very long time Marcano and Wendell who will also have to give up the same as the young defender potentially holder Martim Fernandes joined the infirmary lately. Coach José Tavares should however be able to rest on his best offensive elements. We think of course of Brazilian Galeno (8 goals in Championship) and at the very good Samu Omorodion (13 goals in the championship + 5 goals in C3) which could start.