Villarreal vs Maccabi Haifa prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-12-05 20:00.
Springtime European football is already guaranteed for Villarreal but the result of this postponed UEFA Europa League (UEL) Group F game against Israel’s Maccabi Haifa will go a long way towards determining the route they take into the knockouts. A win over Haifa would see them move alongside Rennes on 12 points and assume leadership of the group on the basis of a crucial head-to-head advantage they’ll take to Rennes on the final matchday.
“The Marcelino era is on!” boasted one social media user when Ben Brereton DĂaz had seemingly scored a 95th minute winner away to Sevilla at the weekend, only for the goal to be disallowed for a foul. Nonetheless, the mid-season change of manager has been promising, as Villarreal remain undefeated across all competitions during his tenure (W3, D1). One major challenge that the new boss will need to overcome if the team are to push on further, is sorting out a defence that has conceded in nine consecutive competitive games against top-flight opposition.
That includes Haifa’s 30th minute opener against Villarreal in the reverse fixture, which they ultimately lost by a 2-1 scoreline in Larnaca, Cyprus. After a lengthy hiatus, life on the pitch is beginning to return to normal for Maccabi now that the Israeli Premier League has resumed, and they returned to winning ways at the weekend with a 1-0 league victory that saw them end the round in third place.
Despite being rooted to the bottom of the group on one point, the Israeli club can still finish third and enter the UEFA Europa Conference League knockout round as a reward. But considering they’re scheduled to play two domestic matches a week for the majority of December and January to make up for lost time, and the fact they’ve lost all seven UEFA group stage games on opposition soil this decade, they could be forgiven for diverting their attention towards qualification for next season.
Players to watch: In the absence of injured pair Alexander Sørloth and Yeremy Pino, José Luis Morales has stepped up to deliver goals in four consecutive appearances across all competitions. Haifa’s Dean David netted a league goal off the bench at the weekend and he has scored in three separate UEFA matches this season.
Hot stat: Haifa’s only goal across their last six UEFA matches came in the reverse clash with Villarreal.