With all due respect to the convincing 0: 5 victory of Maccabi Tel Aviv last week in the Conference League over Helsinki, the situation of the Yellows in the league is bad and bitter. .
Any result other than a win will put the system under tremendous pressure.
A loss means a gap of 10 points what leads, operating in BS, when in the case of a draw it will be a gap of nine points, still a task that will remain very difficult to erase.
If Maccabi loses at home to Ashdod - something that has not happened for almost 17 years - it will be difficult for the management to continue with the backing of Patrick Van Leven, so a loss or a draw could decide the fate of the Dutch coach, who has so far failed this season in the league.
Phibn.
Will continue to receive credit, Photo: Alan Schieber
Maccabi will have to do without the Spanish stopper Luis Hernandez, who will want a suspension.
Sharan Yeni or Idan Nachmias will replace him in the squad, and one of them will probably play alongside Shahar Phiben.
On offense there is a dilemma between Brandly Quas and Eduardo Guerrero.
"Ashdod's results do not reflect their ability," said Idan Nachmias.
"We hope to rise to a positive wave."
Hamudi Canaan returns to the squad
What happens to the opponent who is below the red line, and has suffered five losses in six league games?
Ashdod expects a streak of three difficult games, which will start tonight against Maccabi, and then against Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel B'Shlosha, with every point you get in them being considered a surprise, especially because of the bad start.
Ran Ben Shimon.
Will he succeed in astonishing Bloomfield ?, Photo: Liron Moldovan
"Every game in Bloomfield against Maccabi is very difficult, especially in the situation that has arisen now," said Ashdod coach Ran Ben Shimon.
"I believe in our players. We will come to a good result, and I hope it will also be a turning point for us."
Ben Shimon may return to a lineup of five defensive players, when in such a situation it seems that Timothy Avani will return to the squad.
Hamudi Canaan, one of the stars of the team last season, who was injured for more than three months, will be on the roster, and may even get the first minutes of the season in the league.
