Sabah FA vs Hapoel Beer Sheva - UEFA Champions League

Sabah FA prepare to host Hapoel Beer Sheva at the home ground on August 25, 2026, with both sides eager to assert their credentials and claim a result that could define their UEFA Champions League season. Michael Carrick's side are set to face Paris Saint-Germain in Sweden on Saturday afternoon with the aim of building on last weekend's win over Atletico Madrid.

There is little to choose between Sabah FA and Hapoel Beer Sheva on paper, and the UEFA Champions League encounter should reflect that balance. It has been a torrid run for the hosts, LWLWL in their last five and a season win rate of just 0% that has the alarm bells ringing. The visitors will travel in the hope that a change of scene can spark a turnaround, whatever the form book says. Paulo Fonseca's men are still smarting from their Champions League play-off exit but now sit third in the table.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Sabah FA may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Hapoel Beer Sheva have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. His passing display at the World Cup was yet more evidence of his suitability for City and the possession-heavy style Maresca favours.

The fixture features no shortage of talent, and the league's top marksman Talisca — 4 goals this term — will be one to watch. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. Carl Rushworth is set to follow Welbeck out of the exit door as he makes his move to Coventry permanent, while defender Igor Julio does not feature in Hurzeler's plans and has interest from Espanyol and other clubs in Europe.

Predictions are tricky when the sides are this evenly matched, and small margins — a moment of quality, a slice of luck — could decide it either way. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. The ramifications of this result could ripple through the UEFA Champions League standings for weeks to come, regardless of who comes out on top. In terms of outgoings, Perri seems closest to an exit, but that will likely have to wait until Trafford's mandated holiday after the World Cup is over or a No 2 arrives.