Maccabi Tel Aviv vs FCSB - UEFA Champions League prediction, H2H, and Lineups

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Date & Time: July 31, 2024, 19:00 UK Time
Venue: Bloomfield Stadium, Tel Aviv (Neutral Ground: Bozsik Arena, Budapest)

Match Preview

The UEFA Champions League excitement continues as Maccabi Tel Aviv hosts FCSB for the second leg of their second qualifying round clash. With the first leg ending in a 1-1 draw at FCSB's home ground, the tie remains finely balanced. Due to the ongoing situation between Israel and Hamas, this crucial encounter will take place in Budapest's Bozsik Arena, marking a neutral venue for both sides.

Maccabi Tel Aviv: The Israeli champions, who clinched the Israeli Premier League title last season with a comfortable margin, are returning to the Champions League qualifiers for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Despite a strong domestic campaign, the team’s preparation for this tie has been solid, featuring an unbeaten pre-season with victories including a Super Cup win over Maccabi Petah Tikva. Under the new management of Zarko Lazetic, Maccabi Tel Aviv will be aiming to leverage their recent form and secure a spot in the third qualifying round.

FCSB: The Romanian side, managed by Elias Charalambous, will be slightly disappointed not to have taken advantage of their home leg. They dominated the first leg in terms of shots but could only manage a draw after Joyskim Dawa's equalizer. With the Romanian season already in full swing, FCSB has shown glimpses of their potential but has been struggling with consistency, including a recent 2-0 defeat to Otelul in Liga I.

Team News

Maccabi Tel Aviv:

• Injuries: Goalkeeper Or Yitzhak remains sidelined after offseason surgery.
• Absentees: Osher Davida, Elad Madmon, Roy Revivo, Dor Turgeman, and Ido Shahar are unavailable due to their participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

FCSB:

• Injuries: Alexandru Pantea is out with a ligament tear, and Octavian Popescu is recovering from foot surgery.
• Changes Expected: Coach Charalambous is likely to make changes from the weekend's lineup, bringing back key players like Daniel Popa and Darius Olaru.

Tactical Battle

Maccabi Tel Aviv will need to capitalize on their home advantage and make the most of their attacking opportunities. The absence of several key players due to international duties could disrupt their usual rhythm, but their recent form and tactical flexibility could work in their favor.

FCSB will rely on their attacking prowess to overturn the aggregate score. With their recent poor form, it’s crucial for them to find their rhythm and be clinical in front of goal. Their ability to adapt and perform under pressure will be key.

Predicted Lineups

Maccabi Tel Aviv (4-4-2):

• GK: Mishpati
• DEF: Shlomo, Nachmias, Asante, Cohen
• MID: Davidzada, Peretz, van Overeem, Kanichowsky
• FOR: Zahavi, Addo

FCSB (4-3-3):

• GK: Tarnovanu
• DEF: Cretu, Dawa, Ngezana, Radunovic
• MID: Sut, Lixandru, Carvalho
• FOR: Baluta, Olaru, Stefanescu
• SUB: Popa

Key Stats & Prediction

• Maccabi Tel Aviv Form (Champions League): Draw
• FCSB Form (Champions League): Win-Draw
• Maccabi Tel Aviv Form (All Competitions): DWWWWD
• FCSB Form (All Competitions): WDWDDL

Prediction: Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1 FCSB
Given the neutral venue and both teams' current form, Maccabi Tel Aviv's superior preparation and home advantage should help them edge out FCSB and progress to the next round.

Where to Watch

Fans can follow the match live on UEFA's official platforms and local broadcasters. Stay tuned for match updates and highlights as the drama unfolds in Budapest.