Match context and what the numbers say
The Lod Municipal Stadium will host a lively Liga Leumit clash on 02/01/2026 as Hapoel Ramat Gan welcome Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa in Round 17. On paper the hosts carry the edge: positioned eighth with 22 points from 16 games, Hapoel Ramat Gan sit comfortably above Jaffa, who are 14th on 15 points. Bookmakers mirror that gap — home victory odds are the shortest at 1.77, while the draw and away win are both priced around 3.7–3.75. But beneath the simplest lines the statistical picture teases a more explosive spectacle.
Hapoel Ramat Gan have showed mixed form lately. Their recent results include narrow defeats and some important wins, and across their 16 matches they’ve scored 23 times while conceding 21. At home their goal numbers are fairly even — 11 scored and 13 conceded — suggesting they’re willing to take risks on the front foot but can be exposed defensively. Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa, conversely, have a more pronounced attack-leaning profile: 27 goals scored across the season and a particularly eye-catching 17 goals away, yet a leaky side at the back with 35 conceded overall. Their over/under profile screams goals: 81.25% of their matches have cleared the over 2.5 line and they only managed two clean sheets away all season.
Recent meetings and immediate form
The pair already met earlier this season in September in a high-scoring encounter that ended 4-2 in favor of Hapoel Ramat Gan away from home — evidence that both teams can be prolific when they run into each other. Recent results for both clubs include cup fixtures over the Christmas period: Ramat Gan lost narrowly to Ironi Kiryat Shmona, while Jaffa advanced by beating Bnei Sakhnin. That means Jaffa arrive with a boost of momentum, and Ramat Gan must regroup quickly after a tight cup exit.
Prediction narrative and betting tip
Expect a match where neither side will be content to park the bus. Hapoel Ramat Gan’s home approach and Jaffa’s high-scoring, high-conceding away profile point toward an open game with chances at both ends. The head-to-head history and the season-long tendencies strongly favour goals rather than a sterile 0–0 stalemate. Given Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa’s 81.25% over-2.5 rate and both teams’ propensity to concede, the most compelling market here is the goals market rather than a straight 1X2 play — even though the home win is the bookies’ favorite at 1.77.
For background reading on market selection and timing when playing goal markets, check out Soccer betting tips and the choice of markets and the excellent guide on The right time to place bets on goal markets to refine your staking and timing.
Betting suggestion: Back Over 2.5 goals — the season trends, recent head-to-head and both teams’ attacking/defensive splits all point to a lively, high-scoring contest.
