Betting Tip
Katowice are a different team at home. At Arena Katowice this summer, they have twice won by the same 3:1 scoreline: first against Zilina in Europe, then against Radomiak Radom in the league. Six goals across two evenings in front of packed stands.
The Polish side's comeback experience is fresh. In the second round, they lost in Zilina (1:2), then turned the tie around at home, with the decisive goals scored by substitutes. It was their first European hurdle cleared since 1994. Rafal Gorak is not afraid to change the game as it unfolds, and his bench delivers.
The schedule also favours the hosts. Their Ekstraklasa match against Wieczysta Krakow was postponed, so a whole week has gone into preparing for one opponent. Hapoel Tel Aviv's Israeli league campaign has not started, their competitive practice is minimal, and they have less match rhythm than the scoreline in Miskolc might suggest.
The opposition are solid, but not flawless. Eliniv Barda has put together a decent squad: Marcus Coco, Fernand Mayembo, Falcao and Omri Altman. Fourth place in the Israeli league is above average for this stage. The only thing Hapoel Tel Aviv do not have is a home ground: they play their "home" matches in Hungary, and in Katowice the Israeli side will experience a proper away cauldron for the first time this summer.
And the main issue is how Hapoel Tel Aviv protect a lead. Against Ludogorets, the pattern was the same: victory in the first leg (2:0), then two goals conceded and a rescued draw (2:2) in Razgrad. The team drop deep, give up the ball and live off counter-attacks. Against hosts who need to score three, that approach is dangerous above all for Hapoel themselves.
Katowice will go all in from the first minute, the opposition will give up territory of their own accord, and the stands will drive them forward. Going through will be difficult for the Polish side. Winning the match itself is well within their reach.