H. Beer Sheva vs Lech Poznan prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-12 19:00.
Playing each other for the first time in Europe, Hapoel Beâer Sheva and Lech PoznaĆ played out one of those rare entertaining goalless draws last week that witnessed more than 30 shots. Although winless in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) group stage this campaign (D2, L1), Hapoel can leapfrog their visitors into second spot in Group C and take aim at the UEFA knockouts for the first time since 2016/17 if they can secure victory here.
For that to happen, Hapoel need to better the domestic 2-2 draw with Hapoel Haifa at the weekend which came amidst a muddling league campaign (W4, D1, L2). One thing that could work in Hapoelâs favour here is some strong recent home form, with the Israelis having lost just once across seven home UECL matches (W5, D1) although that defeat came in their most recent fixture.
PoznaĆ responded to the goalless draw in the reverse leg with a 1-0 domestic win over Radomiak Radom, but some indifferent league form (W5, D3, L3) has left them eight points behind the Ekstraklasa leaders. With UECL Group C table-toppers Villarreal five points ahead, they will lose crucial ground on a more realistic second-place finish should they suffer defeat here, although just one loss across their last 12 competitive games means the visitors should arrive here with confidence intact.
A poor recent travelling record in this competition may be in the back of PoznaĆ minds however, having not won in four away UECL games (D2, L2). Extending that to all UEFA competitions, the visitors are winless in their last eight away games (D2, L6) which is their longest-ever such run on the continent and form that casts a long shadow over their chances in Israel.
Key battle: Hapoelâs Omri Glazer has been rock-solid for his team, making 14 saves and keeping two clean sheets from three group-stage UECL matches so far. Heâll face PoznaĆ forward Mikael Ishak, with the player contributing to five of their last seven UECL goals (G3, A2).
Hot stat: Hapoel have kept a first-half clean sheet in eight of their last nine UECL matches.