Match preview: Jerusalem hosts Raina in a high-stakes relegation tussle
Teddi Malcha Stadium will be buzzing on 02/12/2025 when Hapoel Jerusalem welcome Maccabi Bnei Raina in a Regular Season clash that looks, on paper, distinctly tilted toward the hosts. The local side arrive off a morale-boosting 2-1 win away at Ironi Kiryat Shmona on 29 November — a result that snapped a run of draws for Jerusalem and showcased a side that can grind out victories when needed. That performance, with Cédric Don earning the best-player tag, gives the home crowd reason to believe that three points are on the table at David Ayalon.
Maccabi Bnei Raina, by contrast, are mired in a crisis of confidence and results. Ten defeats and a single draw from eleven matches underlines a team struggling to find answers; their last outing ended in a 1-3 home defeat to Ironi Tiberias. Defensive fragility is glaring in the numbers: 30 goals conceded already this campaign, and no clean sheets to speak of. Those statistics make the trip to Jerusalem a daunting test for a side without a win so far.
Form lines, stats and the market view
The bookies are sensible in their pricing: Hapoel Jerusalem heads the match-winner market at about 2.06, with the draw and away win trading around 3.25 and 3.40 respectively. Home advantage, recent confidence from the November victory, and a markedly superior points return (7 for Jerusalem versus 1 for Raina) help explain that market tilt. On attacking metrics there are intriguing signals: both teams feature a healthy percentage of matches finishing over 2.5 goals this season — Jerusalem has seen over 2.5 in roughly 64% of games, and Raina in nearly 73% — suggesting that while Raina concede regularly, there is also room for the contest to open up.
Head-to-head context adds a twist: their most recent meeting in April ended 2-1 in favor of Maccabi Bnei Raina, showing that surprises can happen. Yet current trajectories differ sharply; Jerusalem’s tendency to draw has shifted into a crucial home win, while Raina’s slide into defeat-laden form leaves them with little margin for error.
For readers refining their approach to wagering on fixtures like this, diving into broader strategy can help. Consider reading a primer on soccer betting tips and the choice of markets to match your risk appetite, and learn about timing in goal markets with the right time to place bets on goal markets — both pieces can sharpen how you interpret stats and odds ahead of kick-off.
Betting suggestion (final pick) Based on form, defensive records and the market, the clearest value lies in the 1X2 market: back Hapoel Jerusalem to win. The home side’s recent victory, superior points tally and Raina’s leaky defense combine with bookmaker odds (approximately 2.06) to make a home win the strongest single-market recommendation for this fixture. Stake sensibly and factor in the game’s propensity for multiple goals when sizing your bet.