Maccabi Haifa v Young Boys

Maccabi Haifa vs Young Boys Preview

Israeli hosts, Maccabi Haifa, will take on Swiss visitors, Young Boys, at their Sammy Ofer Stadium in Wednesday night's 1st leg of this two-legged play-off tie in the Champions League with a financially lucrative place in the group stage at stake for both clubs.

Maccabi Haifa have made an encouraging start to their new campaign as the home side have suffered just the one defeat in their opening eight matches in all competitive games which came in the form of a 1-0 defeat away from home at Moldovan side, Sheriff, in the 2nd Qualifying Round of this season's Champions League.

Previously, Maccabi Haifa had easily accounted for Maltese outfit, Hamrun Spartans, as the Israeli side registered a comprehensive 6-1 win on aggregate against the minnows which was followed up with a 4-2 win on aggregate against Sheriff despite being 1-0 down heading into the 2nd leg.

Maccabi Haifa needed extra-time in order to dispose of Sheriff but had no such trouble in their 3rd Qualifying Round tie with Slovakian outfit, Slovan Bratislava, as they accounted for their opponents by way of a 5-2 win on aggregate.

Having won seven of these eight matches, Maccabi Haifa look in good shape ahead of this crucial 1st leg.

Young Boys have played various pre-season friendlies in readiness for their upcoming challenge for a place in the group stage of this season's Champions League, picking up four wins and a draw in the process and they have also produced a solid start to their domestic Swiss top flight campaign as well.

Young Boys have recorded wins against Lausanne-Sport and Winterthur in the Swiss Super League while also picking up useful points in draws with Yverdon Sport and Luzern, and the bigger picture shows the visitors are unbeaten in their last 12 matches across all competitions.

Results away from home have also been fairly encouraging as Young Boys have slipped to just three defeats in their last 16 outings on their travels and the visitors will be hoping that they can at least hold their own in this opening leg against Maccabi Haifa at the Sammy Ofer Stadium on Wednesday night.

However, this may be easier said than done though for Young Boys as they possess a pretty poor record on the road at Champions League level; the Swiss club have managed to collect just two wins from their last 18 ties away from home at this level, along with being handed 12 defeats in the process as well.

Maccabi Haifa v Young Boys Verdict

Maccabi Haifa therefore look the slightly better equipped to gain a lead in this 1st leg tie at the Sammy Ofer Stadium.

Therefore, our main bet will be Maccabi Haifa win @ 2.30

Other side bets worth considering:

Maccabi Haifa win & Over 2.5 goals @ 3.50

Correct score: Maccabi Haifa 2-1 @ 10.00