Olim League Week 13 preview

There’s just one fixture this week, but it is the el-Classico of Olim Football as the two oldest and most decorated teams lock horn in the oldest fixture in Olim football in a rearranged fixture that fell victim to the snowy weather last month in the capital.

JERUSALEM (2^nd) vs ENGLAND FC (5^th)

Games between these two are always hard to predict, as league form tends to go out the window, with both sides knowing each other inside out, and always raising their game for this “derby” of sorts.

Both sides come into this game in form, both being undefeated in 2015.

England FC have spent most of the season in unfamiliar bottom half territory. Despite the title being all but mathematically out of their reach, a top 3 finish is still very much on the cards, thanks to an upsurge in form, and they will be looking to close the 5 point gap on the teams immediately above them in the table.

In any usual year, Jerusalem would be champions elect by now, but the phenomenal form of Ra’anana, who are yet to lose a game this season, means that even if Jerusalem were to win all 6 of their final games (in itself no mean task), then they will still fall short of the pace setters this year who are looking for their first piece of Silverware in Olim football.

As such, Jerusalem go into this fixture in second spot, 7 points behind runaway leaders Ra’anana, albeit with this game against England FC in hand.

Both sides are filled with players who have tasted silverware on numerous occasions, but the feeling is that anything but 3 points for Jerusalem, will mean that Ra’anana can start looking to join the illustrious club of league champions. These sides last met on the opening day of the season, with England FC coming out on top of a titanic battle. Jerusalem will be looking to gain revenge and keep Ra’anana looking over their shoulder.

Team News:
Jerusalem were missing three key midfielders last week against Rainball Tel Aviv, and will be hoping that Yehuda Korman, Lollu Hibbert and Gav Cohen are back, though Korman faces a late fitness test, and will not be risked if not 100% fit. England FC will be without the suspended Motti Colman, but will be hoping the likes of Nicky Plotnek and Tal Stern will be back for this crucial fixture.

Reverse Fixture this season:
England FC 4 v Jerusalem 3

Leading Scorers:
Jerusalem:  Zack Lewis 15
England FC: Gaby Balulu 7

Dangermen:
Gav Krieger (Jerusalem)
Chad Waldman (England FC)

Form:
Jerusalem: WLWWW
England FC: DDLWW

Prediction:
Jerusalem 2 v England FC 1