Honestly, if you're looking at the schedule for Maccabi Tel Aviv FC games right now, you’re probably feeling that weird mix of "we're the biggest club in Israel" pride and the "why can't we buy a win in Europe" frustration. It's a heavy January in 2026.
The Yellows are sitting third in the Premier League. Ten wins, six draws, two losses. That’s 36 points. For most teams, that’s a dream. For Maccabi? It’s a bit of a wake-up call when Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Beitar Jerusalem are staring down at you from 42 points.
Last Saturday, things looked okay. A 1-0 win over Bnei Sakhnin. It wasn’t pretty, but it was three points. Before that, they actually handled Hapoel Jerusalem 3-1. But the consistency? It’s just not there like it used to be. You've got guys like Dor Peretz basically carrying the soul of the midfield on his back, netting seven goals across all competitions so far. He’s the captain for a reason, but one man can’t fix a defense that’s been, well, leaky.
The European headache nobody wants to talk about
We have to talk about the Europa League. It’s been brutal. Five losses and one solitary draw. One point from six matches.
The goal difference is... let’s just say it’s -16. They’ve scored twice and let in 18. If you watched the 6-0 thrashing by Lyon in November, you know exactly what I mean. It felt like the gap between the Israeli top tier and the big European leagues has become a canyon.
Next up on January 22nd is SC Freiburg in Germany. Then Bologna follows on the 29th. If Žarko Lazetić can't find a way to tighten the back line—which has been struggling despite the arrival of guys like Tyrese Asante and Ali Camara—it's going to be another long night in front of the TV.
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Why the upcoming Maccabi Tel Aviv FC games are make-or-break
The schedule is absolutely relentless. This isn't hypercycle talk; it’s literally the season on the line over the next 14 days.
Take a look at this run:
- Tonight (Jan 14): Hapoel Tel Aviv (State Cup Round of 16)
- Jan 18: Maccabi Haifa (Away)
- Jan 22: SC Freiburg (Europa League)
- Jan 26: Hapoel Tel Aviv (League)
The Derby today is huge. The State Cup is often the "saving grace" for a season that feels like it's slipping, and facing Hapoel Tel Aviv in a knockout match is as high-stakes as it gets. Then you've got the "Classico" against Haifa four days later.
If they drop both Hapoel games and the Haifa match, the season is effectively over for silverware.
The Eran Zahavi-sized hole in the squad
Let’s be real: people underestimated what losing Eran Zahavi would do. When his contract ended last May, a lot of fans thought, "Okay, he's a legend, but he's older now."
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Wrong.
The leadership and the "fear factor" he brought to the pitch haven't been replaced. Ion Nicolaescu was brought in from Heerenveen for €1.3 million to be the guy, and while he’s shown flashes—scoring in that 3-1 win over Jerusalem—he isn't demanding the ball in the 89th minute when everything is falling apart.
Ido Shahar is trying. Elad Madmon has potential. But the clinical edge is missing. You can see it in the draws against teams like Ironi Tiberias (1-1) and Hapoel Petah Tikva (2-2). Those are games the Maccabi of two years ago wins 3-0 without breaking a sweat.
What to expect if you're heading to Bloomfield
If you’re planning to catch one of the home Maccabi Tel Aviv FC games soon, keep a few things in mind. Tickets aren't exactly cheap anymore—you're looking at anywhere from $50 to $300 depending on where you sit and who the opponent is.
The atmosphere at Bloomfield is still the best in the country, hands down. But because of the security situation and UEFA regulations, some of the "home" European matches have been moved. The Bologna game, for instance, is set for the TSC Arena in Serbia. It sucks for the local fans who want to see world-class talent in Tel Aviv, but it’s the reality of 2026.
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Parking is still a nightmare. 30 ILS if you manage to find a spot, but honestly, just take a taxi or the light rail if you can. They open the gates two hours before kickoff, and you’ll want to be in your seat early for the Derbies because the tifo displays this year have been incredible.
Tactical shifts under Lazetić
Žarko Lazetić has been trying to implement a more fluid 4-3-3, but it feels like the team is caught between styles. They want to press high, but the center-backs are getting exposed on the counter.
Roy Revivo has been a bright spot at left-back, providing two goals and two assists, often acting more like a winger. But when he pushes up, the space left behind is exactly where teams like Beitar Jerusalem have punished them.
The fans are starting to get restless. You hear it in the stands after the 60th minute if the score is still 0-0. There’s a demand for "Maccabi-ism"—that arrogant, winning-is-the-only-option mentality—and right now, the team looks a little too polite.
Actionable insights for the rest of the season
If you're following the title race or betting on the next few matches, keep an eye on these specific factors:
- The Fitness of Sagiv Yehezkel: He’s been out with a few knocks, and the right side of the pitch looks dead without his overlapping runs. If he’s fit for the Haifa game, Maccabi has a chance.
- The "Away" Home Games: Since European matches are being played in Serbia and Germany, don't expect a "home field advantage." The travel fatigue is real.
- The State Cup Pivot: If they lose to Hapoel today, the pressure on the board to make a move in the January transfer window will be massive. Expect them to look for another creative midfielder.
Keep your eyes on the January 26th Derby. It’s the second time they’ll face Hapoel in two weeks. Usually, the team that loses the Cup match comes out like a wounded animal in the league fixture. This is the stretch that defines whether 2026 is a "rebuilding year" or a trophy-winning one.