Match context and momentum
The Liga Leumit returns with a mouth-watering mid-table clash as Ironi Modi'in host Kiryat Yam SC on January 9, 2026. On paper this is a tight encounter: Ironi Modi'in sit ninth with 23 points while Kiryat Yam are placed fifth on 27, but the raw numbers tell a fuller story. Ironi arrive off a morale-boosting 1-0 win in their most recent outing, a result that halted a mixed sequence for the home side. Kiryat Yam, meanwhile, share the spoils from their last fixture after hauling themselves back to a 2-2 draw, a sign of resilience but also an indication of defensive volatility.
Statistical edge and head-to-head
Scan the underlying stats and Kiryat Yam begin to look the livelier outfit. They average more than eleven shots per game and register a higher share of dangerous attacks, while their seven clean sheets point to a capacity to stay compact when required. Ironi Modi'in are leaner in chance creation and have kept only four clean sheets, but they do enjoy a strong over-2.5 history at home with more than 70 percent of their matches surpassing that line — a clear signal they participate in open, goal-tilted affairs. The pair have already produced drama this season: a 3-2 victory for Kiryat Yam earlier in the campaign suggests neither side is afraid to open up and that goals can follow when these teams meet.
Bookmakers back the visitors as slight favourites, with Kiryat Yam priced around 2.10 for the win, the draw trading near 3.20 and Ironi at 3.25. Those numbers reflect a sensible market view: Kiryat Yam’s superior shot volumes and cleaner defensive record away from home give them the marginal edge, while Ironi’s higher over-2.5 rate keeps the prospect of a goal-rich game alive.
What this means for bettors
This is a contest where form lines, shot metrics and direct history converge in favour of an away victory, yet the home side’s habit of producing higher-scoring games cautions that the match may not be low on entertainment. For readers wanting to refine their process, a useful place to read up on timing for certain outcomes is The right time to place bets on goal markets, while broader tactical and analytical tools can be explored in Learn about some of the tools that can help with analysis.
Betting suggestion: Back Kiryat Yam SC to win (Away) in the 1X2 market at around 2.10. The visitors’ edge in attacking volume, superior defensive returns in the away column and the favourable head-to-head combine to make the away win the most value-driven single-market selection from the available data.
