Preview: Maccabi Tel Aviv vs. Zorya Luhansk - prediction, team news, lineups

It is set to be another emotional occasion like the reverse fixture before the international break, with both sides playing against the backdrop of war in their respective countries.

Match preview

Neither side are able to play at home currently because of the ongoing conflicts, so after facing off in Lublin in the reverse fixture, the sides will now meet at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola.

This is technically the matchday three clash even though it will be both side's fourth group game, as it was postponed shortly after conflict broke out in Israel and Palestine.

A remarkable clash in the reverse in Poland saw Maccabi win 3-1 earlier this month, as the Israelis led 3-0 at half-time but it was far from plain sailing.

Zorya peppered the Maccabi goal, forcing goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera - who was making his debut - into an astonishing 13 saves, only managing one late consolation goal which was not enough to spark a comeback.

A healthy scoreline for Maccabi was very impressive too considering it was their first outing in five weeks, since losing at Gent in early October, shortly before the start of the conflict.

Manager Robbie Keane has not even been with the squad as he quickly fled the country after war began, but he led his side to a crucial win in the group which moved them above Zorya into second.

Gent are likely to win the group, but another win for the Israelis will move them five points clear with two group games remaining, almost assuring them of a spot in the knockout stages.

Unlikely Maccabi, Zorya are playing regularly in their home country despite the war going on there, but they are not in the best of form.

Defeat in the reverse fixture has contributed to a run of one draw and four defeats in their last five games, crashing out of the domestic cup 4-1 to Chornomorets Odesa, as well as losing designated home matches to Zhytomyr and LNZ Cherkasy.

With Luhansk one of the worst affected areas in the country, Luhansk continue to play their matches in Kyiv, so they are no strangers to neutral venues.

Valeriy Kryventsov's side have played two games fewer than most of the league, but are surprisingly in the relegation zone, three points from safety.

They have been unable to replicate the form which saw them finish third above Dynamo Kyiv last season, and anything but a win here could seriously harm their prospects of advancing, given their head-to-head against Maccabi could be crucial.

Maccabi Tel Aviv Europa Conference League form:

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Maccabi Tel Aviv form (all competitions):

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Zorya Luhansk Europa Conference League form:

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Zorya Luhansk form (all competitions):

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Team News

Plenty of the Maccabi players got game time for Israel during the international break, as they had seven players in the squad, and that could be important given that domestic football is still not safe to return in the country.

Even though Israel played four games during the break, there was plenty of rotation, so the likes of Eran Zahavi, Gabi Kanichowsky and Dor Peretz should be in good shape still.

That means Keane is set to have a fully fit squad to choose from, including their Panamanian keeper Mosquera, who helped his nation to two eye-catching wins over Costa Rica to qualify for the Copa America via the CONCACAF Nations League.

Zorya's Eduardo Guerrero was also away with Panama along with Mosquera as one of the Ukrainian club's few international representatives, but he did not get onto the pitch in either leg.

Youngster Arseniy Batagov did though, and impressed for Ukraine Under-21s, scoring in their win over Luxembourg.

On the injury front, the visitors are set to be without Dmytro Matsapura, Maksym Smiyan and Roman Vanutkh for this one.

Maccabi Tel Aviv possible starting lineup:

Mosquera; Cohen, Luckassen, Saborit, Revivo; Peretz, Van Overeem, Kanichowsky; Biton, Zahavi, Milson

Zorya Luhansk possible starting lineup:

Turbayevskyi; Danchenko, Jordan, Batagov, Snurnitsyn; Dryshlyuk, Nagnoynyi, Micin; Kyryukhantsev, Guerrero, Alefirenko

We say: Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-1 Zorya Luhansk

A Zorya victory would be a game-changer in the group, as it would put them back into the ascendancy in second, and they did enough to suggest they can claim a result in the reverse, despite losing 3-1.

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