Zira vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Prediction: Israel club to win

Prediction for the match of the Conference League qualification between Zira and Maccabi Tel Aviv, which will take place on July 21. Check the team conditions and choose several betting options.

Zira won bronze medals in Azerbaijan's last championship and reached the cup final, where they lost in penalties to Karabakh (1:2). Most of the squad comprises locals, although there are some good internationals like Mohamed Hamdaoui, who played in the Netherlands for a long time. This season, however, the Eagles haven't played an official match, and it's a bit concerning ahead of the European competitions.

Maccabi looks like they are planning to make some noise in the Conference League this season, as well as challenging for the Israeli league title, as evidenced by the team's recent transfers. Eran Zahavi returns home from PSV, having netted 11 goals in each of their two Eredivisie games. Zahavi, as a Maccabi player, scored an average of over 1 goal per game. Zahavi's tandem with Stipe Perica, who played in Europe for a long time, looks promising. The club also has Djordje Jovanovic, who showed himself well last season. Maccabi also acquired midfielders Joris van Overeem and Nir Bitton, who played for Utrecht and Celtic respectively for a long time.

Before the start of the season, the team had two friendlies, losing to Westerlo (1:2) and beating Zagreb (3:0). In the first official match, however, the Tel Aviv club drew with Maccabi Netanya (0:0) in regulation time, but lost on penalties.

Maccabi have had time to try out their squad in some friendly matches although the season in Israel only begins in a month. In the Toto Cup, the Tel Aviv club did not field Eran Zahavi from the starting line-up; however, he is expected to play against Ziri. The visitors are superior and must win.

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