TEL AVIV, Israel (Interstat) — In a Liga Leumit match that played out precisely as one statistical model forecast, Hapoel Ra’anana and Hapoel Kfar Saba played to a 1-1 draw Monday at Ramat Gan Stadium.

The result, which mirrored the prediction of Interstat’s game simulator, did little to alter the mid-table trajectories of either Israeli second-division side. The shared points extended Hapoel Kfar Saba’s unbeaten streak to three matches, while Hapoel Ra’anana continued its pattern of inconsistent form.

The visiting side from Kfar Saba struck first, breaking a stalemate just five minutes into the second half. Midfielder Niv Tubul found the net in the 50th minute, providing his team with a crucial advantage on the road. The goal seemed to shift momentum firmly in favor of the visitors, who sought to improve upon a recent run that included a draw with Hapoel Afula and a loss to Maccabi Petah Tikva earlier in January.

Hapoel Ra’anana, however, demonstrated resilience in front of its supporters. Sixteen minutes after falling behind, the home side found an equalizer. Forward Aviv Lin scored in the 66th minute, restoring parity and ensuring his team would avoid a second consecutive loss following a defeat to Hapoel Kfar Shalem on Jan. 19.

The match was the third meeting between the two clubs this season, with each ending in a different outcome. Hapoel Ra’anana secured a 1-0 victory in early August, followed by a 1-1 draw in Kfar Saba in late September. Monday’s result continued the trend of closely contested fixtures in this local rivalry.

With the draw, Hapoel Kfar Saba’s record in Liga Leumit play moved to 8 wins, 6 losses and 7 draws. Their overall record across all competitions this season is now 10 wins, 8 losses and 7 draws. The team remains in a compact middle section of the league table, having shown both promise and vulnerability, as evidenced by a 5-4 victory over Hapoel Kfar Shalem and a 4-1 loss to Maccabi Petah Tikva earlier in the campaign.

For Hapoel Ra’anana, the point brings its league record to 7 wins, 9 losses and 6 draws. Their overall mark stands at 9 wins, 10 losses and 6 draws. The team has experienced dramatic swings, from a 5-0 rout of Hapoel Afula in August to a 4-0 loss to Kiryat Yam SC later that same month. The draw against Kfar Saba represents a stabilizing result as they look ahead to a challenging February schedule.

The statistical pre-match narrative presented a contradiction. While Interstat’s ELO rating system gave Hapoel Ra’anana a 57.7 percent probability of winning the match, the same organization’s game simulator projected the exact 1-1 scoreline that ultimately materialized. The on-field action validated the latter forecast.

Hapoel Kfar Saba will look to build on its unbeaten run when it hosts Hapoel Nof HaGalil on Friday, Jan. 30. Hapoel Ra’anana’s next contest is a road match against Hapoel Ramat HaSharon on Monday, Feb. 2. Both teams will continue their pursuit of positioning as the Liga Leumit season progresses toward the spring.