Maccabi Haifa coast clear

By Ofer Ronen-Abels

Maccabi Haifa FC continue to blaze a trail in the Israeli Premier League and remain on course for their fourth title in five years.

Unbeaten record ended
Indeed, Maccabi Haifa stand 18 points clear at the summit, although their hopes of ending the season unbeaten were dashed by a 1-0 defeat by Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC on 13 February. They have since bounced back with narrow wins against Hapoel Petach-Tikva FC and city rivals Hapoel Haifa FC before a draw against second-placed Maccabi Petach-Tikva FC.

Berkovic snub
With nine matches remaining, Maccabi Haifa look sure to collect their ninth championship but their decision to snub Eyal Berkovic has disappointed some fans. The veteran playmaker mooted a possible move to the club he supported as a boyand played for, but was turned down and is now set to join Maccabi Tel-Aviv.

Petach-Tikva form
Maccabi Petach-Tikva were also reportedly interested in the 32-year-old Berkovic's signature but have now officially pulled out. Under the guidance of Guy Luzon, the club are enjoying a fruitful campaign nonetheless, and a run of one defeat in 12 games has left them on the verge of European qualification.

Surprise package
Luzon's team are five points clear of the season's surprise package, Hapoel Nazareth FC. The Nazareth side, promoted from the second division last term, have moved above more fancied FC Ashdod and Beitar Jerusalem FC. The latter team have been notable for their inconsistency but they enjoyed an injury-time victory against Maccabi Tel-Aviv at the weekend to ease the pressure on coach Eli Ohana.

Good form
Maccabi Tel-Aviv are themselves enduring a torrid campaign and after a decent UEFA Champions League challenge, Nir Klinger's charges are languishing in eighth position. They are eight points off the two relegation places but could yet be sucked in if Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC can continue their seven-match unbeaten sequence.

Relegation worries
Shiye Faigenbaum's appointment in mid-December has revived Hapoel Tel-Aviv, lifting them off the foot of the table and two points above second-bottom Hapoel Beer-Sheva FC. Lufa Kadosh, Beer-Sheva's third coach of the season having replaced Eli Cohen, faces an uphill struggle if he is to achieve safety. Hapoel Haifa, however, already look destined for the drop, a run of 14 games without a win leaving them nine points from survival.