Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv will be hosted tonight at Turner Stadium in Be'er Sheva, where they will face the local Hapoel as part of Matchday 30 of the Winner League. Ahead of the encounter, we have gathered all the statistical data, the head-to-head history, and the interesting details you need to know before the opening whistle.
Hapoel arrives at the upcoming match riding a wave of positive momentum, having put together two consecutive victories in the Upper Playoff: a crushing 4-0 over Maccabi Haifa and a 1-0 over Hapoel Petah Tikva. Now, with only seven games remaining until the end of the season, the team's clear goal is to maintain this good form as they head south for the away game.
Table Situation
Hapoel: Stands in fourth place with 55 points (excluding 2 points deducted from the team by the disciplinary court) and holds a goal difference of 51:27 (+24). The Southern Rival: Arrives at the encounter from second place in the table with 63 points and a goal difference of 63:28.
Head-to-Head
This Season The teams have already met twice this season during the regular league, with the status quo maintained – each team defended its home turf and won by an identical 2-1 scoreline. First Round (Turner Stadium): The local team started strong and took an early lead, but a massive free-kick goal from Stav Toriel got Hapoel back into the game and leveled the score. The equalizer held up until the 73rd minute, when a penalty was awarded to Be'er Sheva, who converted it to score and decide the match.
Second Round (Bloomfield Stadium): The match opened with a storm, featuring a lightning-fast goal by Loizos Loizou in the fourth minute. The southern rival did manage to find an equalizer during the second half, but then came the 97th minute: Amit Lemkin scored a super-dramatic winning goal to grant Hapoel three precious points.
The two teams also met in the Toto Cup semi-final at the beginning of the season. Hapoel traveled to Turner and won 2-0, courtesy of goals from Liran Rotman (38) and Amit Lemkin (67).
Match Information
Date & Time: Saturday, 2/5/2026, 20:30
Competition: Premier League, Upper Playoff, Matchday 30
Location: Turner Stadium, Be'er Sheva
Main Referee: Gal Levi
Assistant Referees: Idan Bernstein, Abdallah Azzam
VAR Officials: Eli Hacmon, Nati Dotan
Fourth Official: Omer Biran
Broadcast: Sport 4 HD
The History Books
Hapoel and Be'er Sheva have met 115 times in the league, recording a total of 141 official meetings – among the highest figures in Israeli football. Over the years, the rivalry between the two clubs has evolved into one of the regular fixtures that draw immense interest every season. Here are all the numbers and prominent encounters from the shared history of the two clubs.
Overall League Record (115 Matches): 43 wins for Hapoel 31 draws 41 wins for Be'er Sheva Goal Difference: 153:140 in favor of Hapoel
Away Record (Hapoel as the Visiting Team - 58 Matches): 18 wins for Hapoel 18 draws 22 wins for Be'er Sheva Goal Difference: 71:65 in favor of Be'er Sheva
Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Be'er Sheva have met 115 times to date in the league, but surprisingly, their first meeting only took place on November 27, 1965. The match was held in Ashkelon as part of the seventh matchday. Be'er Sheva took the lead in the second minute, but Gideon Tish equalized for Hapoel in the 67th minute, leaving the match in a 1-1 draw.
One of the most memorable moments in the rivalry's history was recorded on January 3, 1970, when Hapoel Tel Aviv crushed Be'er Sheva at Bloomfield with a score of 8-0 – the Reds' biggest league victory. Scoring for Hapoel in that match: Meir Brenner (1), Yehezkel Chazom (7, 89), George Borba (12, 33, 84), Avraham Cohen (76), and Yehoshua Feigenbaum (88). (Photo: Kneper Arie - Luba)
Fast forward to the 1997/1998 season, the memorable "Shoelaces" season. In Matchday 28 at Vasermil, with Hapoel wearing grey and in the midst of a championship battle, the Reds exploded in the second half for a 4-1 win: Giorgi Daraselia (55), Ofer Shitrit (64, 90 pen.), and an own goal (78). Be'er Sheva narrowed the gap in the 84th minute.
Another significant victory occurred during the 2009/2010 double-winning season, in a match that marked Nemanja Vucicevic's debut. Hapoel arrived at Vasermil for the third matchday, scored three goals, and won 3-1.
Hapoel last won in Be'er Sheva on March 7, 2021, when a header by Iyad Abu Abaid in the 44th minute gave the Red Devils a 1-0 victory in Matchday 24. Played for Hapoel in that match: Ernestas Setkus, Ben Bitton, Iyad Abu Abaid, Siyanda Xulu, Danny Gruper, Dan Einbinder, Shay Elias (Emmanuel Boateng – 69), Omri Altman, Osher Davida (Doron Leidner – 82), Lidor Cohen (Ofek Bitton – 69), Shlomi Azulay [Striker] (Raz Stein – 14). Referee: Daniel Bar Natan