Lugano vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Prediction 20 August 2026
🔊 Lugano reached the Conference League play-offs through the third qualifying round. Maccabi Tel Aviv, in turn, moved into the tournament from the Europa League qualifying system. Now both teams are one step away from the group stage - and each intends to take it.
Head-to-Head
📊 The teams have never met on the football pitch - this is their first meeting.
Head-to-head statistics Lugano - Maccabi Tel Aviv
Lugano Team Overview
The Swiss side have already played three qualifying rounds and are yet to lose a match. That said, the level of opposition was incomparable: modest Dukagjini (6:1 on aggregate) and Runavik (4:2).
At the same time, the start of the Swiss Super League season has been no less convincing. Although the opponents there were more serious, if painfully familiar. Lugano beat Vaduz (2:1), Grasshopper (4:1), and Zürich (5:0). In three rounds the team scored 11 goals. Another interesting point: all of Lugano's home matches this season have ended in wins.
Match Results: Lugano
Maccabi Tel Aviv Team Overview
The Israelis came into the Conference League after being knocked out of the Europa League qualifying. In the second round, Maccabi beat Sheriff twice: 5-0 in Tiraspol and 1-0 at home. Then came the tie with CSKA Sofia. And again the first leg proved decisive - only this time in a negative sense, as coming back from 0-3 was possible but unlikely, and even an away win (3-1) was not enough.
Maccabi recovered quickly from the heavy European defeat, reaching the final of the domestic Toto Cup. The Tel Aviv side are capable of playing on the front foot and controlling the ball, which was clearly visible in Sofia. There, the Israelis had 65% possession, had 15 shots and hit the target five times. At the same time, the defence already showed its vulnerability in the first match against CSKA.
Match Results: Maccabi Tel Aviv
⚽️ Goals prediction
The match looks promising in terms of scoring. Lugano have scored 11 goals in the first three rounds of the Swiss championship, and in European competition they have found the net 10 times in their last four matches. Maccabi have also been scoring regularly in this Europa League qualifying campaign, and in 6 of their last 7 away matches at least three goals have been scored.
The hosts are in excellent form and are determined to win at home. Maccabi have plenty of European experience, so they are capable of finding their chance going forward. We expect an open game with total goals over 2.5, taking the bet at odds of 1.90*.
🚩 Corners prediction
Lugano will surely try to seize the initiative from the start. The home factor and the Swiss side's high scoring rate point towards an active game through the flanks. Maccabi are no strangers to winning corners either - in their two-legged tie against Sheriff they delivered 17 corners. The bet is total corners over 8.5 at 1.50*.
🟨 Yellow cards prediction
The stakes are high in the first play-off leg, and Maccabi have already played several tense European matches. Over the last three matches involving the Israeli side, referees have shown 19 yellow cards. That is rough even accounting for the intensity of the qualifying rounds. I think they won't hold back in this match either. Our pick: total yellow cards over 2.5.
*Odds are indicative and may vary depending on the bookmaker.
⭐️ Editor's Pick
Lugano come into this match in excellent form. The Swiss side have won all four home games this season, and in their last league match they thrashed Zürich. Maccabi have slightly more European experience, but their path to the play-offs was a nervy one. After being hammered by CSKA, the Israelis managed to win the second leg, yet still conceded and showed once again that their defence does not always hold up under pressure.
At home, Lugano look the more likely winners. That said, Maccabi have enough quality to get on the scoresheet. We predict a final score of 2:1. The key bet is both teams to score (yes).
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Betting Tips: Lugano - Maccabi Tel Aviv
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