Preview — Quarter-final drama in Nazareth Illit
A compact Green Stadium in Nazareth Illit will stage what promises to be an intriguing State Cup quarter-final on 04/02/2026 as Maccabi Bnei Raina host Hapoel Be'er Sheva. The home side arrive with a patchy run of form and a recent league reverse to the same opponents, while Hapoel Be'er Sheva roll into town carrying clear momentum. The local crowd of 5,000 can expect a tidy, aggressive contest: Maccabi Bnei Raina will be hunting a response after that 0-2 loss on January 31, whereas Hapoel Be'er Sheva will try to convert league superiority into cup progress.
Form, facts and the recent meeting
Form lines underline a gulf. Maccabi Bnei Raina’s latest string reads with mixed results — four wins but five defeats in their last ten — and they were beaten 0-2 the last time these sides met. That previous duel saw Lior Gliklich named Maccabi’s best performer, but it was Kings Kangwa who earned the highest rating for Hapoel Be’er Sheva as his side controlled the outcome. Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s broader trend is much steadier: seven wins, one draw and two losses in their last ten, a sequence that highlights consistency and confidence.
Statistically the matchup is tight on shots and attacking intent: totals and shots-on-target numbers are comparable, yet Hapoel Be’er Sheva have shown greater cutting edge at crucial moments and a higher tendency for over-2.5 goal matches when they play at home. Maccabi’s defensive resilience at Green Stadium — they’ve conceded little at home in the sample data — could make for a contest where Hapoel must break down a well-drilled defensive block. Cup ties often throw up cautious tactical chess, but recent head-to-head suggests Be’er Sheva know how to win here.
What to watch and market angles
Tactically, expect the visitors to press in transitions and force the issue on set pieces and quick breaks, regions where they found success in the last meeting. Maccabi will rely on compact defending and opportunistic counter-attacks, hoping to exploit any slack as the game opens up. For readers weighing markets, consider how match rhythm tends to tighten in knockout football — a single clinical intervention often decides the tie.
For those wanting a deeper look into market selection and how to choose the right approach, see Soccer betting tips and the choice of markets, and if you plan to stake with confidence, don’t forget the mental side of wagering: How to have emotional control when placing bets?.
Betting suggestion: Back Hapoel Be'er Sheva to win (1X2 — Away). The visitors arrive in better form, they claimed a convincing 2-0 victory in the most recent meeting and they show a consistent attacking output. This is the clean, data-led call for a cup tie where momentum and recent head-to-head favor the away side.
