Hapoel Be'er and OFI Crete face off in crucial Europa League clash

Europa League context and match details

The UEFA Europa League league phase continues on Thursday, 5 November 2026, with a key fixture between Hapoel Be'er and OFI Crete. Kick-off is set for 20:00 UTC at Giulesti Stadium in Bucuresti. This match could prove pivotal as both sides find themselves entrenched in the relegation zone of the competition's standings.

Standings and stakes

Hapoel Be'er currently occupy 30th position, having played three matches without a win. They have garnered just one point from a draw and suffered two losses, scoring only once while conceding six goals, resulting in a goal difference of minus five. OFI Crete sit slightly above them in 26th place, with three points from one victory and two defeats. Their goal difference is a narrower minus one, with three goals scored and four conceded. Both clubs face the challenge of improving their fortunes to climb out of the relegation places as the league phase progresses.

Recent form of Hapoel Be'er

Hapoel Be'er enter this fixture off the back of a difficult run of form, having played five games with just one win, one draw and three losses. Their recent results include a heavy 0-4 away defeat to Union St.-Gilloise on 22 October and a narrow 1-2 loss at AZ Alkmaar a week earlier. A goalless draw at home to Dinamo Zagreb on 16 September marked their only point in the Europa League so far. Earlier defeats have seen them concede heavily, including a 2-5 loss away to Sabah FK on 25 August, though they did manage a 2-1 home victory against the same side on 19 August. Overall, they have scored five goals across these five matches but conceded twelve, averaging just one goal per game while allowing 2.4.

Recent form of OFI Crete

OFI Crete have shown a slightly better recent record, winning two of their last five matches but also losing three. Their most recent fixtures include a 1-0 away victory over Panetolikos on 1 November and a 2-1 home win against PAOK on 25 October. However, they have also endured losses such as 0-2 at home to Bayer Leverkusen on 22 October and a high-scoring 3-4 defeat at Kalamata on 18 October. On 15 October, they lost 1-2 away to Stade Rennais. Across these games, OFI Crete have scored seven goals, averaging 1.4 per match, but conceded nine, an average of 1.8 per game. Their form points tally stands at six, double that of their opponents.

Head-to-head and expectations

This Europa League clash offers both clubs a chance to improve their standing and end a challenging run of results. With a narrow two-point gap between them in the table, the match could be finely balanced. Hapoel Be'er’s defensive struggles contrast with OFI Crete’s slightly more productive attack and recent wins. The match at Giulesti Stadium may therefore see both sides looking to tighten their defence while seeking to break down the opposition. Past encounters between these teams are not detailed in the information available, leaving the outcome uncertain.

Where to watch

Fans in the United States can catch the action live on Paramount+. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 UTC, providing an evening fixture for European viewers.

Where the teams stand

Recent form