3 Hapoel players to keep an eye on against Southampton

Southampton and Hapoel Be’er Sheva clash in a winner-takes-all encounter in the Europa League at St Mary’s this evening.

Both sides have seven points from their five Europa League group matches thus far, and both know that victory on the South Coast will secure them a last 32 berth.

Claude Puel’s Saints go into tonight’s match off the back of a 3-0 defeat at struggling Crystal Palace, but they have picked up some impressive results in Europe this season, beating the likes of Inter Milan and group winners Sparta Prague.

The Saints are unbeaten at home in the competition thus far, with six of their seven points coming at St Mary’s, while the other came when they faced Hapoel in Israel back in September.

The Israeli champions have beaten Inter both home and away in the competition, with their excellent comeback victory over the Italian giants last time out keeping them in the hunt for a place in the knockout stages.

The 0-0 draw in the game between these two a few months ago was a dour and dull affair, but the same result on Thursday would see the Saints progress because of their superior goal difference.

Nonetheless, Hapoel have some talented players in their squad, and here are THREE to keep an eye on at St Mary’s…