Preview: State Cup Women’s Match Set for Saturday in Nazareth

NAZARETH, Israel (Interstat) — A State Cup Women’s quarterfinal clash on Saturday pits a surging home side against a visiting powerhouse with uncertain recent form.

MK Maccabi Akhi Nazareth will host MH Maccabi Haifa at 7 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) on Dec. 27, 2025. The match is organized by the Israel Football Association.

The home team enters with significant momentum, having won its last three matches across all competitions. Most recently, Akhi Nazareth defeated MH Ironi Modi’in 3-1 on the road on Oct. 28. Previous results include a 2-1 home victory over MK Beitar Ramat Gan on Sept. 30 and a 2-0 away win at MK Ironi Nesher on Aug. 29.

In contrast, the recent competitive history for Maccabi Haifa is unclear. The available data shows its last recorded result was on Jan. 1, 1970, a date that typically indicates missing or unprocessed information in statistical systems. This gap makes the visiting team’s current form a major question mark heading into the cup tie.

Statistical models heavily favor the in-form home side. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 2-0 victory for Akhi Nazareth. Furthermore, the organization’s ELO rating system calculates Akhi Nazareth with a 73.30% probability of winning the match within regular time.

The matchup represents a classic cup challenge, with Akhi Nazareth seeking to leverage its home-field advantage and proven scoring ability against a Haifa side that traditionally carries a strong reputation in Israeli women’s football. Haifa will need to overcome any potential rust or administrative disruptions to advance.

The winner will secure a spot in the semifinals of the State Cup, Israel’s premier domestic cup competition for women’s clubs.