Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Lugano Prediction 27 August 2026
🔊 Maccabi Tel Aviv and Lugano meet in the second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying play-off. The first leg in Switzerland ended in a 2-1 win for Lugano, so Maccabi need to overturn a one-goal deficit. The return fixture takes place on 27 August, but security concerns have forced a change of venue - the match has been moved from Tel Aviv to Batumi, where it will be played at the Batumi Arena.
Head-to-Head
📊 The two sides had no previous meetings before this tie. The first leg, played on 20 August, ended in a 2-1 win for Lugano. Kevin Berens opened the scoring in the first half, Ido Shahar equalised shortly after the break, but within minutes Anto Grgič converted a penalty to give the Swiss side the victory.
Lugano therefore carry a narrow advantage into the second leg, and Maccabi need to win by at least one goal to take the tie to extra time.
Head-to-head statistics Maccabi Tel Aviv - Lugano
Maccabi Tel Aviv Team Overview
Maccabi head into this decisive match on the back of a defeat in Switzerland, but they have already shown they carry a genuine attacking threat. In the Europa League qualifiers, they beat Sheriff 6-1 on aggregate, then split results with CSKA Sofia - losing 0-3 at home before winning 3-1 away.
After the first-leg setback against Lugano, the team bounced back quickly with a 5-2 win over Hapoel Tel Aviv, so creating chances should not be a problem for the hosts. That said, the Lugano match highlighted a defensive issue: conceding twice left them chasing the game.
Match Results: Maccabi Tel Aviv
Lugano Team Overview
The Swiss side took an important step towards the group stage. A 2-1 win gives Lugano a narrow advantage heading into the second leg, and notably they didn't simply sit back after scoring the second goal - they kept looking for ways to extend their lead.
Before this play-off tie, Lugano comfortably saw off NSÍ Runavík, and in the Swiss league they have put five past Zürich and four past Grasshopper. The team are in excellent attacking form and have been scoring freely.
The key question now is how they handle the second leg in Batumi. This time Lugano will be without their home support, while Maccabi are also denied a proper home advantage due to the match being relocated.
With a one-goal lead, Lugano only need to avoid defeat to go through, so a compact defensive shape with quick transitions on the break is a likely approach.
Match Results: Lugano
⚽️ Goals Prediction
The first leg ended 2-1, and both sides have been scoring regularly in recent matches. Maccabi have netted 11 goals in their last five competitive fixtures, while Lugano have scored 14 in the same span.
The situation also points towards an open game. The Israeli side need to overturn the deficit, and Lugano are dangerous on the counter and have already shown they can create chances against this defence. Our pick: Total Goals - Over 2.5 at 1.95*.
🚩 Corner Kick Prediction
In the first meeting, the home side had the better of the territorial battle and ultimately converted that pressure into a result. However, they registered 0 corners compared to their opponents' 4. Lugano can be a difficult side to break down, which also points towards a low corner count. Our pick is Total Corners - Under 9.5 at 1.71*.
🟨 Yellow Cards Prediction
Every incident will carry extra weight in the second half. Maccabi will need to take risks if they find themselves behind, and Lugano will have opportunities to hit on the counter. Our pick is Total Yellow Cards - Over 3.5.
*Odds are indicative and may vary depending on the bookmaker.
⭐️ Editor's Pick
Lugano hold a one-goal advantage from the first leg, but the margin is slim enough to keep Maccabi's hopes very much alive. The Israelis bounced back quickly from their defeat in Switzerland, thrashing Hapoel Jerusalem 5-2, which says something about their current attacking form.
Lugano, meanwhile, are in decent shape and have shown they can create chances consistently. With a draw enough to go through, the visitors may look to hit on the counter and exploit the space that should open up as Maccabi push forward. We expect Maccabi to come closest to winning the match, but Lugano are capable of finding a goal of their own. We're predicting a 2-1 final score. The key bet is Both Teams to Score - Yes.
No comments
Betting Tips: Maccabi Tel Aviv - Lugano
in 9 of last 10 games..svg)
in 6 of last 7 away games.
in 17 of last 18 games.in 15 of last 16 away games.in last 6 games (UEFA Europa Conference League).in 14 of last 16 Maccabi Tel Aviv games.in last 8 Lugano games.in 6 of last 7 Lugano games (UEFA Europa Conference League).
Comparison of Teams Stats
Other predictions
