Maccabi Haifa in cruise control

By Ofer Ronen-Abels

Reigning champions Maccabi Haifa FC continue to dominate the Israeli Premier League, undefeated and with an eleven-point lead at the top of the table. In contrast, the battle against relegation is tighter than ever.

Rare blank
Maccabi Haifa had beaten both Hapoel Nazareth FC and Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC by a single goal, before being held 0-0 by third-placed Maccabi Petach-Tikva FC last weekend. Failing to score is a rarity for Roni Levy's side who have accumulated 38 goals in 16 league games.

Rosso out
Maccabi Haifa have also conceded fewer goals than any other team, with goalkeeper Tom Almadon, in for the injured Nir Davidovic, unbeaten for 651 minutes. Playmaker Giovani Rosso is another injury casualty and will be sidelined for at least six weeks after back surgery.

Brave defending
Elsewhere, Maccabi Petach-Tikva, who have lost only twice and let in just one more goal than Maccabi Haifa, thrashed FC Ashdod 5-1 on 3 January and then produced a fine rearguard action against the leaders to extend their undefeated run to four matches.

Four defeats in five
Ashdod themselves were losing ground with four defeats in five outings. However, they overturned a two-goal deficit to edge past Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv FC 4-3 on Monday night and climb above Maccabi Petach-Tikva into second position. Bnei Yehuda had lost only one game in seven prior to that, boosted by Ben Luz's return to form.

Valuable strike
Eran Levy, who has joined Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC from Maccabi Haifa, marked his debut with the goal that salvaged a 1-1 home draw with Hapoel Haifa FC. Maccabi Tel-Aviv, who have also added striker Ophir Haim from Istanbulspor AS, are without a victory in four matches. Jeff Totuana's strike ended Hapoel Haifa's 539-minute scoring drought but they remain winless in six outings.

On the rise
Hapoel Nazareth, on the other hand, have become a force to be reckoned with, rising to fifth with a late 1-0 success against bottom-of-the-table Hapoel Tel-Aviv - now without a victory in nine fixtures.

Revival continues
A 4-1 triumph against struggling Hapoel Beer-Sheva FC helped Hapoel Petach-Tikva FC continue their revival under new coach Dror Kashtan. It was their third straight win, but Beer-Sheva's problems continue to mount and goalkeeper Nir Rachmin is considering retirement after ruptured knee ligaments cut short his season.