Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv will host Beitar Jerusalem this evening at Bloomfield Stadium in Matchday 31 of the Israeli Premier League. Ahead of kickoff, we have compiled all the key statistics, historical context, and noteworthy details you need to know.
Hapoel enter the decisive stretch of the season. With only six rounds remaining, the Reds return to Bloomfield for a run of four consecutive home fixtures, beginning with a clash against their fiercest rivals, Beitar Jerusalem.
The team arrives following a setback last Saturday that halted a positive run of form, which had included two consecutive wins and clean sheets. As things stand, Hapoel sit fourth in the table with 55 points, after a two-point deduction imposed by the disciplinary court, and hold a goal difference of 51 scored and 29 conceded. In contrast, the visitors from the capital top the standings with 67 points and a goal tally of 73 for and 34 against.
Head-to-Head This Season: Drama, Comebacks, and a Final
The sides have already met three times this season – twice in the regular league campaign and once in the Toto Cup final – with each encounter delivering its own storyline.
No Hapoel supporter will forget the first-round meeting, which became one of the season’s most memorable classics. Hapoel took an early lead through a Stav Turiel penalty in the 26th minute, but Beitar turned the match around to lead 2–1 by the 78th minute. Just when it seemed the game was slipping away, the 90th minute brought a turning point: a superb cross from Turiel found the head of Andrian Kraev, who powered home the equalizer. The drama reached its peak in the 98th minute, when a stunning free-kick by Omri Altman hit the net, sealing a dramatic and unforgettable 3–2 victory for Hapoel.
In the second-round encounter at Teddy Stadium, Hapoel were narrowly defeated 1–0. The teams later met again in the Toto Cup final, where Hapoel fell 2–1, with Turiel scoring a late consolation goal deep into stoppage time (90+10).
Match Information
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Kickoff: 19:30
Competition: Israeli Premier League, Championship Round, Matchday 31
Venue: Bloomfield Stadium
Referee: Aviv Klein
Assistant Referees: Mati Yaakobov, Shahar Rahamian
VAR Officials: Niv Shtayif, Nati Dotan
Fourth Official: Gal Leibovitch
Broadcast: Sport 5 HD
The Story So Far
The long-standing rivalry between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Beitar Jerusalem remains one of the most intense and captivating in Israeli football. Since their first meeting, the two sides have faced each other 131 times, producing a rich history filled with dramatic encounters, unforgettable goals, and iconic moments.
Overall Record
Matches: 131
Hapoel wins: 55
Draws: 35
Beitar wins: 41
Goal difference: 169–145 in Hapoel’s favor
At Hapoel’s Home Ground
Matches: 68
Hapoel wins: 31
Draws: 18
Beitar wins: 19
Goal difference: 101–76 in Hapoel’s favor
The first league meeting between the clubs took place on March 5, 1955, at the YMCA Ground. Hapoel came from behind twice, thanks to goals from Asher Blot (23’) and Michael Mikhailov (83’), securing a 2–2 draw.
Their first league meeting hosted by Hapoel later that year also ended level. Blot gave Hapoel the lead from the penalty spot in the 24th minute, but Beitar equalized late to make it 1–1.
Over the years, Hapoel have produced several memorable home performances against Beitar, including seven matches in which they scored four goals. The sequence began on March 6, 1971, with a 4–2 victory featuring goals from Yehoshua Feigenbaum, Yehezkel Hazum, and Shimon Ben Yehonatan.
One of the most iconic encounters took place on March 16, 1996, in Bloomfield. Despite being reduced to ten men after Avi Azulai’s red card in the 36th minute, Hapoel delivered a remarkable display led by Shalom Tikva, who orchestrated a dominant 4–0 win alongside goals from Sagiv Eliahu and Kazimierz Moskal.
Another emphatic 4–0 victory came on February 9, 2009, in the season preceding Hapoel’s last double. Goals from Mehran Lala (brace), Douglas da Silva, and Bibras Natkho secured a commanding triumph.