Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Vikingur Reykjavik Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips
Hapoel Beer Sheva welcome Vikingur Reykjavik to Toto Turner Stadium in Szombathely on 29 July 2026 for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round tie. After a tight first meeting in Reykjavik, this return fixture will decide who progresses to the next stage of Europe’s premier club competition.
The Israeli side trail 2-1 from the first leg and must overturn that deficit on neutral soil. With no league standings data available yet for this phase of the season, early-round Champions League form becomes the key reference point. Hapoel Beer Sheva have played just once in this campaign – that defeat in Iceland – and need a far more clinical performance to stay alive.
Vikingur Reykjavik arrive in strong Champions League form, unbeaten across three qualifiers so far with two wins and a draw. They carry both a one-goal aggregate lead and the psychological edge from their 2-1 home victory on 21 July 2026. With the tie finely poised, this match shapes as a fascinating clash between a side trying to protect an advantage and one forced to chase the game from the start.
Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Vikingur Reykjavik Key Stats
- Hapoel Beer Sheva have played 1 Champions League qualifier this season, scoring 1 goal and conceding 2.
- The only previous meeting came on 21 July 2026 in Reykjavik, where Vikingur Reykjavik beat Hapoel Beer Sheva 2-1 in the UEFA Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round.
- Vikingur Reykjavik’s Champions League campaign so far: 3 matches, 2 wins, 1 draw, 0 defeats, with 5 goals scored and 3 conceded.
Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Vikingur Reykjavik — Tale of the Tape
- Position: Not available vs Not available
- Points: Not available vs Not available
- Goals For: Not available vs Not available
- Goals Against: Not available vs Not available
- Clean Sheets: Hapoel Beer Sheva 0 (Champions League 2026), Vikingur Reykjavik 1 (Champions League 2026)
With no group or league standings yet in this Champions League qualifying phase, the clearest picture comes from early-round statistics. Hapoel Beer Sheva’s single outing – a 2-1 defeat away – leaves them with negative goal difference and no clean sheets. Their defensive numbers show 2 goals conceded in 1 match, an average of 2.0 per game, underlining the need for a tighter display at the back.
Vikingur Reykjavik, by contrast, have built a solid platform over three qualifiers. They average 1.7 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per game, with one clean sheet in that run. Their biggest home win in this Champions League campaign is 2-1, and they have yet to lose. On current tournament stats alone, the Icelandic champions look the more balanced and settled side heading into this decisive leg.
Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Vikingur Reykjavik Key Matchups
Hapoel Beer Sheva defence vs D. Hafsteinsson
Hapoel Beer Sheva’s back line, which conceded twice in Reykjavik and has no clean sheets in this Champions League campaign, will again be tested by Vikingur’s creative hub Daníel Hafsteinsson. The midfielder has been one of the standout performers in the qualifiers: across 3 appearances and 77 minutes, he has 1 goal and 1 assist, with an excellent rating of 8.9.
Hafsteinsson’s efficiency is notable – 2 shots (1 on target), 26 completed passes at 88% accuracy, and 10 duels contested with 5 won. He also contributes defensively with 2 tackles and 1 interception. For a Hapoel defence that has already allowed him to influence the first leg, cutting off his passing lanes and limiting his space between the lines will be crucial if they are to keep the tie within reach.
Midfield control: Hapoel engine room vs G. Sigurðsson
In midfield, the battle against Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson could define the rhythm of the game. Sigurðsson has started all 3 Champions League qualifiers for Vikingur Reykjavik, playing 90 minutes with 1 goal and 1 assist. His passing numbers are impressive: 33 passes with 90% accuracy and 2 key passes, underlining his role as a creative and controlling presence.
On top of that, he has 4 tackles, 1 block and 3 interceptions, showing work rate off the ball as well. Hapoel Beer Sheva’s midfielders will need to disrupt his build-up play and prevent him from dictating tempo. If Sigurðsson is allowed to combine freely with Hafsteinsson, Vikingur’s attacking patterns that produced 5 goals in 3 games could again trouble the Israeli side.
Head-to-Head: Last Meetings
These sides have only just crossed paths in European competition, with their first-ever meeting coming in this qualifying round. That contest in Iceland sets the tone for the return leg.
- 21 July 2026: Vikingur Reykjavik 2-1 Hapoel Beer Sheva (UEFA Champions League)
Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Vikingur Reykjavik Prediction
Stats suggest Vikingur Reykjavik hold a clear edge coming into the second leg. They are unbeaten in three Champions League qualifiers (two wins, one draw), scoring in every game and keeping one clean sheet. Their last-five metrics are strong: 78 out of 100 for form, with 33 in attack and 80 in defence, and they have shared their goals fairly evenly across the 31–90 minute window.
Hapoel Beer Sheva, by contrast, have just one competitive outing in this campaign, a 2-1 loss. Their last-five form index sits at 0 out of 100, with attack at 7 and defence at 87 – underlining a side still finding its feet. They did score once in Reykjavik, showing they can trouble Vikingur, but their defensive lapses around the 46–90 minute period cost them dearly.
The prediction model gives Vikingur Reykjavik and the draw equal top billing, with 45% each, and only a 10% chance assigned to a Hapoel Beer Sheva win. The advice leans strongly towards “double chance: draw or Vikingur Reykjavik”, reflecting the Icelandic side’s superior form and the aggregate advantage they already hold.
Predicted Score: Hapoel Beer Sheva 1-1 Vikingur Reykjavik
With the goals projections expressed as thresholds rather than exact scores, a conservative outlook fits the probability profile: Vikingur are favoured not to lose, but Hapoel Beer Sheva’s need to attack should at least yield a goal. A draw would be enough to see Vikingur Reykjavik through on aggregate.
Hapoel Beer Sheva Recent Form
In Champions League 2026, Hapoel Beer Sheva have played just one match, a 2-1 defeat away to Vikingur Reykjavik. That result leaves them without a win or draw so far, with 1 goal scored and 2 conceded. They used a 4-3-3 shape in that outing and showed some attacking threat, scoring in the 46–60 minute window, but they also allowed goals in the same period and late on, pointing to concentration and structural issues after half-time.
Vikingur Reykjavik Recent Form
Vikingur Reykjavik’s Champions League form reads as a strong early statement: 3 games, 2 wins, 1 draw, and no defeats. Their tournament form string is WDW, with 5 goals scored and 3 conceded. They have found the net in all three matches and kept one clean sheet, while their defensive record at home is particularly solid with only 1 goal conceded in 2 fixtures. Overall, they look confident and well-balanced heading into this second leg.
Hapoel Beer Sheva Possible Starting Lineup
Given the available squad and their established 4-3-3 use in this Champions League campaign, a likely structure could feature:
Goalkeepers: O. Marciano, M. Wolff, N. Eliasi, I. Hemi (one to start, with Marciano and Wolff the most experienced options).
Defenders: Hélfer Lopes, M. Vítor, O. Davidzada, M. Baltaxa, D. T. Diop, E. Almog, G. Mizrahi, I. Rotman, M. Simantov.
Midfielders: D. Biton, S. Elias, K. Kangwa, Lucas Ventura, E. Peretz, Y. Stoyanov, N. Yehoshua, R. Levy, I. Azut.
Forwards: Z. Ahmed, J. East, I. Zlatanović, A. Ganah, M. Kna'an, M. Abu Rumi, S. Farhud, João Victor, Y. Koren, S. Dahan.
Hapoel Beer Sheva have depth across the forward line, which they must leverage as they chase the tie. Expect an aggressive front three supported by creative midfielders like D. Biton or K. Kangwa. The key tactical question is whether they can push full-backs like Hélfer Lopes and O. Davidzada high without leaving too much space for Vikingur’s counter-attacking midfielders to exploit.
Vikingur Reykjavik Possible Starting Lineup
Vikingur Reykjavik have also favoured a 4-3-3 in Champions League qualifiers, and their squad composition supports that approach.
Goalkeepers: I. Jónsson, A. Friðriksson, Ö. Kristinsson, U. Audunsson (with Jónsson and Kristinsson offering veteran presence).
Defenders: D. Atlason, O. Ekroth, H. Guðjónsson, K. Gunnarsson, R. Þorkelsson, S. Þorkelsson, G. Vatnhamar, T. Ibrahimagic.
Midfielders: E. Agnarsson, V. Andrason, B. M. Asmundsson, D. Bjarnason, J. Bjarnason, D. Hafsteinsson, G. Sigurðsson, A. Þrándarson, Ó. Borgþórsson, Armann Finnbogason, Daði Berg Jónsson, Stígur Diljan Þórðarson.
Forwards: N. Hansen, V. Ingimundarson, T. Ingolfsson, E. Ómarsson.
With playmakers like Hafsteinsson and Sigurðsson in midfield and attacking options such as N. Hansen and V. Ingimundarson, Vikingur can balance control with direct threat. Their 4-3-3 has produced 5 goals in 3 Champions League matches, and they are likely to adopt a compact, counter-attacking shape in Szombathely, protecting their aggregate lead while looking to exploit spaces left by Hapoel Beer Sheva’s need to push forward.
Hapoel Beer Sheva Team News
No significant absences reported.
Vikingur Reykjavik Team News
No significant absences reported.
Injuries & Suspensions
Hapoel Beer Sheva:
- None reported.
Vikingur Reykjavik:
- None reported.
Betting Tips: Hapoel Beer Sheva vs Vikingur Reykjavik
Based on the available probabilities and form, here are three distinct betting angles for this Champions League qualifier:
- Result Tip: Back Vikingur Reykjavik in the double chance (draw or away win). The prediction model assigns only a 10% chance to a Hapoel Beer Sheva win, with 45% each for draw and Vikingur. Vikingur are unbeaten in 3 Champions League matches (WDW), while Hapoel Beer Sheva have lost their only game. The safer route is to side with the Icelandic team not to lose over 90 minutes.
- Goals Tip: Under 3.5 total goals. Hapoel Beer Sheva’s only Champions League match finished 2-1, and Vikingur’s 3 qualifiers have produced a total of 8 goals (average 2.7 per game). Vikingur’s under/over profile shows all 3 matches have stayed under 2.5 and therefore under 3.5 goals. With Vikingur likely to manage the game and Hapoel Beer Sheva wary of conceding an away goal, a relatively controlled scoring environment is likely.
- Value Tip: Vikingur Reykjavik to score at least once. They have scored in all 3 Champions League qualifiers so far (5 goals total) and possess in-form creators like D. Hafsteinsson and G. Sigurðsson, each with 1 goal and 1 assist. Hapoel Beer Sheva conceded twice in the first leg and average 2.0 goals against per game in this campaign, so backing Vikingur to find the net again offers solid value, especially in goal-related markets such as “away team over 0.5 goals”.
Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.
