The Jerusalem derby returns this Monday night at Teddy Stadium (20:00), and rarely have the gaps between the two rivals looked wider. Beitar Jerusalem, the right-wing team from Jerusalem, arrive in exceptional form, firmly in the top tier of the Israeli Premier League and deeply involved in the title race, powered by a remarkable winning streak: a five-goal performance against Ironi Tiberias, coming after a four-goal win over Maccabi Netanya, which itself followed a six-goal show against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
On the other side stand Hapoel Jerusalem, the moderate team from Jerusalem, sinking beneath the relegation line and entering the derby humiliated after a 2-1 home loss to bottom-placed Bnei Reineh, with the decisive goal arriving in the 97th minute. On paper, this looks like a straightforward win for the hosts, a scenario in which Beitar Jerusalem would barely need to strain.
Can Hapoel Jerusalem stop Beitar Jerusalem in the derby?
Hapoel Jerusalem do hold one notable advantage: the coaching position. Ziv Arie is far more experienced than Barak Itzhaki and capable of forming a tactical setup that could, at least theoretically, limit the stars of Beitar Jerusalem. But with 30,000 passionate supporters behind Beitar Jerusalem, combined with extraordinary momentum and Hapoel Jerusalem’s collapsing confidence, most bettors will likely mark a simple home victory.
Will the top-of-the-table pressure push Beitar Jerusalem forward and deepen the Reds’ crisis?
Beitar Jerusalem will also keep an eye on the match played a day earlier in Beersheba, where Hapoel Beersheba face Maccabi Tel Aviv. Sitting just three points behind first place, Beitar Jerusalem will not let an opportunity to close the gap slip away. With players considered several levels above those of their city rivals (Yarden Shua, Omer Atzili, Adi Yona), thousands of black-and-yellow supporters expect another decisive win, one that could further entrench Hapoel Jerusalem in their desperate fight for survival.
Still, derbies have rules of their own. No opponent should ever be dismissed outright, especially one battling for its place in the top division. Something unusual would need to happen to spoil the momentum of Beitar Jerusalem, yet statistically the odds remain firmly in favor of the stronger side.
