News & analysis

Six fixtures, three leagues and a Champions League play-off headline

A six-match guide to Tuesday’s football, led by three Champions League play-offs and featuring early table tests in Spain and Argentina.

Wednesday’s Football Guide: Champions League Play-Offs, La Liga and Seven MLS Fixtures

The day’s standout fixture is Celtic v LASK Linz, where both sides begin a two-leg European tie with qualification progress at stake.

Champions League Qualifying Takes Centre Stage on a Packed European Night

The European schedule is led by Lyon’s attempt to recover against Sparta Praha, alongside several return legs separated by one goal or less. Bodo/Glimt v Union St. Gilloise offers the most open first-leg context at 3-3, while Argentina’s Union Santa Fe v Central Cordoba de Santiago brings a five-point table gap into focus.

Four Wins, a 2-5 Defeat and Two Conflicting Table Totals

Form check

Hapoel Beer Sheva recovered from a 1-2 loss at Vikingur Reykjavik with four straight wins before losing 2-5 at Sabah FA. The match path records 12 points from 6 games, while the season overview lists position #0 and 0 points, leaving the current table line unresolved.

One point apiece as Hapoel Beer Sheva and Dinamo Zagreb draw 0-0

Hapoel Beer Sheva and Dinamo Zagreb finished 0-0 in Bucharest, leaving both teams with one point after the opening UEFA Europa League League Stage round.

Sabah FA score three in extra time to beat Hapoel Beer Sheva 5-2

Sabah FA beat Hapoel Beer Sheva 5-2 after extra time, overturning two deficits before scoring three times in the additional period.

"Levski Sofia vs. Hapoel Beer Sheva: Europa League Showdown Recap"

On July 10, 2025, Levski Sofia faced Hapoel Beer Sheva in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League at Stadion Georgi Asparuhov. The match, officiated by Czech referee Ladislav Szikszay, was crucial for both teams aiming to progress in the tournament. Tactical Overview: Levski Sofia utilized a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on attacking play and quick transitions, while Hapoel Beer Sheva employed a 4-2-3-1 setup, prioritizing defensive stability and counter-attacks. This tactical divergence promised an engaging contest, with Levski seeking to control possession and Hapoel looking to capitalize on defensive lapses. Current Form: Both teams lacked recent competitive form data, making it challenging to assess their momentum. Levski's home advantage was expected to be significant, while Hapoel's European experience could provide them with the necessary composure in a high-stakes match. Key Players: Levski's wingers were highlighted for their speed and ability to challenge Hapoel's defense, while Hapoel's midfield leader was anticipated to control the game's tempo and create scoring chances. League Context: Both teams were entering the Europa League qualifiers, with Levski eager to impress at home and Hapoel aiming to leverage their successful history in Israeli football to handle the away match pressure. Team News: No major injuries or suspensions were reported, allowing both teams to field their strongest lineups. Prediction: Levski Sofia was slightly favored due to their home advantage and attacking capabilities, but Hapoel Beer Sheva's tactical discipline and experience suggested a potentially close match. Anticipation grew among fans as both teams prepared for the encounter, eager to make a strong start in the Europa League campaign.

Hapoel Beer Sheva Rally From Behind to Beat Sabah FA 2-1 in Champions League Play-Offs

No conventional standings data is available for either team in the supplied feed, so the effect on league positions cannot be established. The result records a win for Hapoel Beer Sheva and a defeat for Sabah FA in the Champions League play-offs.

"UEFA Europa League Clash: Hapoel Beer Sheva vs. Levski Sofia Preview"

Match Summary: Hapoel Beer Sheva vs. Levski Sofia - Competition: UEFA Europa League (1st Qualifying Round) - Date & Time: July 17, 2025, at 18:00 UTC - Venue: Városi Stadion, Nyíregyháza Current Form: Both teams enter the match following recent draws, indicating a struggle to find form. This match is crucial for both to gain momentum in their European campaigns. Tactical Setup: - Hapoel Beer Sheva: Expected to use a 4-1-4-1 formation, focusing on a solid defense and quick transitions to exploit the flanks. - Levski Sofia: Likely to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing midfield strength and flexibility in attack, aiming to create overloads in wide areas. Key Players: - Hapoel Beer Sheva: Central midfielder will be vital for linking play and providing defensive cover. - Levski Sofia: Attacking midfielder will be crucial for orchestrating attacks and finding spaces. League Context: Both teams are starting their season with this match, leading to a high-stakes environment. They may adopt an aggressive approach to secure an early advantage. Team News: No significant injuries or suspensions reported, allowing both teams to field their strongest lineups. Prediction: Hapoel Beer Sheva may have the edge due to home advantage, with a predicted scoreline of 2-1 in their favor. The match is anticipated to be closely contested as both teams aim to assert their dominance in the tournament.

Hapoel Beer Sheva Beat Crvena Zvezda 2-0 to Take Control of Champions League Qualifier

Hapoel Beer Sheva defeated FK Crvena Zvezda 2-0 through second-half goals from I. Zlatanovic and J. East. D. Stankovic’s red card triggered the decisive shift, while M. Abu Fani’s late dismissal left the hosts with nine players and ended their hopes of a response.

Hapoel Beer Sheva Hold Off Crvena Zvezda for 1-0 Champions League Qualifying Victory

Z. Ahmed’s 38th-minute goal separated Hapoel Beer Sheva and FK Crvena Zvezda in a 1-0 Champions League qualifying victory. The dismissal of M. Baltaxa after the break created the match’s key pressure point, but Hapoel Beer Sheva held firm to claim the win and a clean sheet.