First-ever meeting between two sides seeking European progress
PFC Levski Sofia have been in mixed form in their last five matches across all competitions, scoring around 2 goals per game but showing vulnerability by conceding regularly. Levski started their build-up to this European qualifier with a 1-0 victory over Radnik Surdulica in a friendly, but they won’t have the services of last season’s top scorer Alexander Kolev, who has left the club.
Hapoel Beer-Sheva enter this match as the holders of the Israeli Cup, but their only recorded pre-season fixture ended in defeat, leaving their recent competitive form uncertain. The manager knows his side well after delivering domestic silverware last term and has created a balanced system with the ability to be disciplined in defence and to counter-attack at pace. For more insight, this PFC Levski Sofia vs Hapoel Beer-Sheva preview offers a closer look at both teams’ preparations.
Hapoel need to trust their wide players and forwards
Although their recent form has been mixed, Levski are the favourites here for a reason and with home advantage, they are our pick to nick this one, albeit without much room to spare. This is likely to be a cagey affair and the ‘Under 2.5 goals’ market does have some value for the average bettor, given the nature of this PFC Levski Sofia vs Hapoel Beer-Sheva prediction and Hapoel’s tendency to play defensively.
Levski are a team that likes to build from the back, play in their own structure and try to control the flow of the game by dictating the tempo in midfield, so they should be comfortable in that regard against Hapoel Beer-Sheva. Levski’s defensive players are experienced and will be looking to put in a strong shift against a Hapoel side that should provide some counter-attacks, while their midfielders are also seasoned campaigners who impressed in recent friendlies. The PFC Levski Sofia vs Hapoel Beer-Sheva odds slightly favor the home side, but the margins are slim, reflecting the expected tight nature of the contest.
Hapoel will have the cup final heroes from last season with them to provide big-game experience, particularly in attack and midfield, and they will need to be on top of their game to get a result in this game. For those looking for guidance, our PFC Levski Sofia vs Hapoel Beer-Sheva betting tips suggest focusing on the defensive strengths of both teams when making their selections, and keeping a close eye on any late team news before placing bets based on the final PFC Levski Sofia vs Hapoel Beer-Sheva prediction.
