Preview: HaMoshava set for a clash of contrasts
Maccabi Petah Tikva return to HaMoshava Stadium on 12 January sitting proudly at the summit of the Liga Leumit table, and everything points to a confident, attacking side when they welcome seventh-placed Hapoel Ramat Gan. The hosts have been carving through opposition this season—12 wins, two draws and just three defeats across 17 matches—and they carry a swagger after recent victories including a convincing 4-1 away win in their last outing. Petah Tikva's home numbers are particularly impressive: 20 goals scored at home and just eight conceded, underlining both their bite in attack and solidity on familiar turf.
Hapoel Ramat Gan arrive with flashes of resilience but a more erratic record. Seven wins, four draws and six losses tell a story of a team that can upset the rhythm of the league but lacks the consistency to regularly trouble the table-toppers. Ramat Gan have shown they can win tight contests—most recently edging Maccabi Kabilio Jaffa 1-0—but their away scoring is balanced rather than prolific, and their defensive record away (8 conceded) suggests they can be exposed by relentless home pressure.
Form, history and what it means for betting
Form lines favor the hosts heavily: Petah Tikva's recent run includes a sequence of wins that has them top of the standings, while Ramat Gan have oscillated between wins, losses and draws. The head-to-head earlier in the season saw Ramat Gan exact revenge with a 3-0 home win back in September, so they cannot be written off entirely. Still, context matters—the current state of both teams and Petah Tikva’s superior goal return (41 goals across the season) mean the pendulum swings in favor of a home success.
Goal patterns also give interesting clues. Petah Tikva fixtures have gone over 2.5 goals in 76% of their matches, indicating an attacking approach that often produces multiple goals. By contrast, Ramat Gan have produced fewer high-scoring affairs overall, so a clash here could either follow Petah Tikva’s open template or turn into a tighter tactical battle if Ramat Gan sit deep as they have in past away matches.
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Betting suggestion (final tip): Backing Maccabi Petah Tikva in the 1X2 market looks the most compelling call. Home advantage, better form, and a higher goals return all point to a Petah Tikva victory on 12/01/2026. As always, consider stake size carefully and account for the upset potential—Ramat Gan have proved dangerous in past meetings.
