Maccabi in uncharted waters

Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC gained their first victory of the season on Sunday against neighbours Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC to swap places with their city rivals at the foot of the Ligat Ha'Al.

Ever present
Maccabi are 18 times Israeli champions and the only side never to have been relegated from the top-flight. However, that record looks in jeopardy as Nir Levin's side prop up the rest with just four points from nine matches having registered their only victory so far against city rivals Bnei Yehuda Tel-Aviv FC on 3 November.

Losing run
With Maccabi's next fixture after the international break a trip to second–placed Hapoel Bnei Sakhnin FC, the future looks far from bright. The 1-0 success for Hapoel meanwhile ended a run of six consecutive defeats in all competitions — their only previous successes coming in UEFA Cup qualifying matches against NK Široki Brijeg and AIK Solna. Guy Luzon's men are also finding life difficult in the UEFA Cup group stage after opening their Group G campaign with setbacks against RSC Anderlecht and Tottenham hotspur FC.

Recovery
Maccabi Haifa FC meanwhile look to have put their indifferent start to the season behind them by winning four of the last six league matches, including a 3-0 victory against Maccabi in late September to rise to fifth in 12 team league.