Hapoel Be’er Sheva rotate before the title clash as OFI arrive short-handed
Pre-match update (20:10 CET): The team sheets confirm the rotation I expected. Ran Kozuch has made six changes, leaving Zlatanović, Vítor, Amador, East, Victor and Kanaan on the bench, while Ventura and Peretz are missing through injury. OFI start Kodro, their top league scorer, up front, with Cantalapiedra among the substitutes. A heavily changed Be’er Sheva attack backs up my case, so Under 2.5 Goals stays my bet at 2/10. I could not recheck the MyStake price for this update, so the 2.22 quoted is from publication on 4 November and may have moved since.
This game is being played at a neutral ground in Bucharest, and both sides arrive with depleted squads. Hapoel Be’er Sheva lead the Israeli league, but Ventura and Peretz, two of their key central midfielders, did not travel, and Israeli media expect rotation with a top-of-the-table clash against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Sunday. OFI have lost Apostolakis to a calf injury and have several other absentees. Neither side has done much in front of goal in this competition so far.
“We must not underestimate the Cretans.” – Ran Kozuch (via ynet, translated from Hebrew)
Predicted lineups: Hapoel Be’er Sheva vs OFI Crete
The line-ups are now confirmed. Compared with the XI I listed earlier, Be’er Sheva have made six changes: Nachmias, Baltaxa, Zahi Ahmad, Abu Rumi, Malede and Ogrisa come in, while Zlatanović, Vítor, Amador, East, Victor and Kanaan drop to the bench. Ventura and Peretz are missing through injury. OFI stick with a back three and bring in Kodro up front, with Cantalapiedra and Iseka on the bench. Apostolakis and Christogeorgos are both out injured.
Hapoel Be’er Sheva Team News & Preview
Domestically, Be’er Sheva are flying. They have scored 22 goals in nine league games, won their last five league matches and beat Petah Tikva 5-2 last time out. Zlatanović has five league goals and is their best-rated player.
Europe has been very different. They drew 0-0 with Dinamo Zagreb, lost 2-1 at AZ and were beaten 4-0 at Union Saint-Gilloise, scoring one goal from 2.6 expected goals across the three games. With two central midfielders missing and six changes made ahead of Sunday, I do not expect them to suddenly click in this competition.
What works for or against Hapoel Be'er Sheva
- Five straight league wins and 22 goals in nine games.
- One goal in three Europa League games.
- Ventura and Peretz did not travel.
- Six changes, with Zlatanović on the bench, before Sunday's game against Hapoel Tel Aviv.
OFI Crete Team News & Preview
OFI are sixth in Greece with a 14:12 goal difference after nine games. Their attacking numbers are poor: 1.19 expected goals and only 3.3 shots on target per league game. Kodro has four league goals, including the winner in their latest league game, a 1-0 win at Panaitolikos.
In Europe they beat Hoffenheim 2-0, lost 2-1 at Rennes and lost 2-0 to Leverkusen. Apostolakis is a new absentee with a calf injury, and Chnaris, Marinakis, Romano and Lagoudakis are also out.
“We will give everything we have.” – Christos Kontis (translated from Greek)
What works for or against OFI Crete
- Beat Hoffenheim 2-0 on matchday one.
- Won 1-0 at Panaitolikos last time out.
- Only 3.3 shots on target per league game.
- Apostolakis is a new absentee with a calf injury.
Hapoel Be'er Sheva vs OFI Crete Odds
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Hapoel Be'er Sheva vs. OFI Stats Comparison
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Hapoel Be'er Sheva Form, Stats & Data
Be’er Sheva’s domestic numbers are strong, but in Europe they have created 2.6 expected goals in three games and conceded 5.7.
OFI Form, Stats & Data
OFI rarely create much. They have produced 1.7 expected goals in three Europa League games.
Hapoel Be’er Sheva vs OFI Crete: Prediction & Betting Tip
Neither side has been creative in Europe. Be’er Sheva have one goal from 2.6 expected goals in three games, OFI have 1.7 expected goals in three, and both are missing important players. Add a neutral venue, a cold night and a Be’er Sheva side that has benched Zlatanović with one eye on Sunday, and I expect a tight, cagey game.
The strongest argument against the bet is Be’er Sheva’s league form. They have scored 14 goals in their last four league games, and both defences have been easy to breach in Europe, with Be’er Sheva conceding 5.7 expected goals and OFI 6.6. If the game opens up early, the under can go quickly. I still think the absences and rotation will slow things down, so I am backing Under 2.5 Goals at 2.22 with MyStake for 2/10. I see a 1-0 or 1-1.