The Premier League approached its finishing line, but two crucial battles are yet to be decided.
By SHARON SOLOMONsoccer ball 88(photo credit: )
The Premier League is approaching its finishing line with Maccabi Haifa winning the championship two weeks ago and Bnei Sakhnin relegated, but two crucial battles are yet to be decided.
Betar Jerusalem and Hapoel Tel Aviv have both achieved European qualification for next season, but are still fighting for the prestigious second place. At the other end of the table Hapoel Kfar Saba and Upper Nazareth are looking to gain the upper hand in their battle to avoid relegation.
Game Day 32 kicks off on Friday afternoon with State Cup finalist Bnei Yehuda taking on Yossi Mizrahi's Ashdod SC at Bloomfield stadium.
On Saturday Maccabi Tel Aviv hosts Reuven Atar's Maccabi Netanya in a game that can have serious implications on Ton Caanen's future with the yellow-and-blue. The club, which is still trying to recover from the Philip Solomon ordeal, has yet to announce its plans for next season and there is growing unrest amongst the fans.
Eyal Berkovic has probably played his last game with the Tel Aviv outfit, as he is not in the game squad for tomorrow's fixture and is unlikely to take part in next week's season finale against Ashdod SC.
The former West Ham United and Celtic playmaker is expected to call it quits this summer after a disappointing comeback to Israeli soccer.
Eli Ohana's Hapoel Kfar Saba will be hoping to collect all three points against last placed Bnei Sakhnin in its most important home fixture of the season. Sakhnin has already been relegated and will probably show up without the injured Abas Suan and Ahmed Kasum.
Kfar Saba has also signed its young and promising striker, Samuel Yeboah to a lucrative five-year contract extension. Former Betar Jerusalem forward Jeff Tutuana, who was signed last summer by Ohana and Betar Jerusalem, is expected to join the team in coming weeks.
Reigning champion and Toto Cup holder Maccabi Haifa plays host to Guy Luzon's Maccabi Petah Tikva at Kiryat Eliezer, hoping to provide the home fans with a convincing performance in this season's last home game.
Dror Kashtan's Hapoel Tel Aviv takes on Hapoel Petah Tikva at Bloomfield stadium, hoping to keep its one point advantage over Betar Jerusalem intact and stay in the second place.
In the round's final matchup, Betar Jerusalem hosts lowly Upper Nazareth at the Teddy Stadium on Sunday evening, and a home victory can possibly seal the visitor's fate as the second team to be relegated this season.
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