The Swiss are in superb form. Prediction for the Conference League match Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Lugano
In the second leg of the Conference League's fourth qualifying round, Maccabi Tel Aviv will face Lugano. The match is set for Thursday, August 27, with kickoff at 18:00 Central European Time. I’m offering a bet focused on the goal-scoring potential of this encounter.
Head-to-head and statistical facts
- Maccabi haven’t scored more than one goal at home in four consecutive matches.
- Lugano are unbeaten in their last 11 matches.
- This season, the Swiss side have won eight matches and drawn once.
- The first leg ended in a 2-1 victory for Lugano.
Maccabi Tel Aviv come into this decisive fixture riding a wave of positive momentum. In the Europa League qualifiers, they confidently dispatched Sheriff, winning 5-0 away and 1-0 at home. Although they fell to CSKA Sofia 0-3 in the first leg, they managed to turn things around in the return leg with a 3-1 win. Following that, Maccabi dropped into the Conference League qualifiers, where they lost the first leg to Lugano.
Domestically, the team’s start has been equally impressive. In the opening round, Maccabi Tel Aviv thrashed Hapoel Jerusalem 5-2. Significantly, that match took place just three days after the first Lugano encounter, showcasing the squad’s ability to handle a congested fixture list.
This summer, Maccabi also kicked off the season by capturing the Israeli Super Cup, defeating Hapoel Be’er Sheva 3-1. As a result, the team quickly found their rhythm and head into the return leg against Lugano buoyed by two crucial victories. The psychological factor should also play in their favor: Maccabi now have to chase the game, which could give them added drive.
Lugano, meanwhile, are enjoying a fantastic start to their season. The Swiss side opened their league campaign with a 2-1 win over Vaduz, then dismantled Grasshopper 4-1, and followed that up with a goal-fest against Zurich—5-0. After three rounds, they had nine points and topped the table.
Lugano’s European form has been just as impressive. In qualifying, they saw off Dukagjini, winning 1-0 at home and 5-1 away. Next, they handled NSI Runavik: after a 2-0 home win, they drew 2-2 in the Faroe Islands. Against Maccabi in the first leg, Lugano again displayed their character, securing a 2-1 victory.
However, a packed schedule could become the main challenge for the visitors. Lugano are playing official matches almost every few days, but have already proved capable of maintaining a high tempo. Wins over Grasshopper and Zurich, along with strong performances in qualification, show the Swiss side are in top form.
Last season, Lugano were also competitive, finishing in the upper half of the Swiss league table. The team has experience in key European matches, and their 2-1 advantage allows them to approach this fixture with a results-oriented mindset. Maccabi, on the other hand, will have to push forward, which could open up space for the visitors to counterattack.
What’s the bet?
We can expect an aggressive start from Maccabi Tel Aviv, who need to overturn the deficit. The Israelis are in good shape and are more than capable of scoring, but Lugano have already shown serious attacking efficiency. The Swiss don’t need to take unnecessary risks—a draw suits them just fine. My pick: both teams to score.
