- Lugano are the form team in all competitions - 8 wins in their last 10 matches.
- Maccabi Tel-Aviv are also flying with 6 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats in the same period.
Lugano have the momentum to take Maccabi
FC Lugano look a good bet to take all three points against Maccabi Tel-Aviv in their UEFA Conference League Qualification 2026 clash at Stadio Cornaredo on Thursday.
These two are playing at a similar level right now, but Lugano are the team with the momentum having won four and drawn one of their last five matches, and the Swiss Super League side are much better at home. They have won five and lost one of their last six in all competitions in Switzerland, scoring 2.00 goals per game and conceding just 0.50.
Mattia Croci-Torti has Lugano playing with control and structure, as well as the flexibility to switch between 3-4-2-1 and 3-5-2 formations to control territory and pinch corners. They can play through possession but also have the pace to break forward and pin teams back.
Bianconeri have momentum and Maccabi have magic
Maccabi's 3-0 defeat to CSKA Sofia appears to have galvanised them into a flurry of form as they bounced back with a 3-1 away comeback win against CSKA Sofia. Kenny Miller has his charges pressing high and turning turnovers into instant chances, so this could be a chess match between Lugano's controlled possession game and Maccabi's more chaotic, but equally potent style.
The Yellow & Blue can switch between a 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formations, both of which are designed to overload the wings and push players forward. This could be a fascinating tactical battle, but the value of both teams to score at 7/10 makes sense as Maccabi have a punchy attack and Lugano are firing on all cylinders at home.
Croci-Torti’s men can outscore Maccabi
Our fancy in the match betting is Lugano at 93/100 with Maccabi at 14/5 and the draw at 5/2, which seems a little high for a game of this quality. Lugano are the stronger team on paper, Maccabi have been in strong form, but our preference is for the home team to edge this one.
Lugano's Kevin Behrens is in good form and is the team's top scorer with five goals in four appearances in the 2026 UEFA Conference League Qualification campaign and seven of the Bianconeri's last 17 overall. But the danger man for Maccabi has been Sayed Abu Farkhi, who has four of their last 10 goals to his name, so if the visitors nick a goal, don't be surprised if he scores it.
