Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Saudi Pro League clash between Al Fayha and Al-Taawoun, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Aiming for their first win in three outings, Al Fayha will lock horns with Al-Taawoun at the King Salman Sport City Stadium on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the visitors are looking to win back-to-back games for the first time since late March and early April.
Match preview
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Al Fayha secured a second consecutive draw after a 1-1 stalemate with Damac at the Dhamak Club Stadium on Friday.
Vuk Rasovic‘s men took the lead through Fashion Sakala‘s penalty three minutes before halftime. However, they were unable to hold on for the victory as Ramzi Solan equalised for Damac in the 79th minute.
Sitting seventh in the Saudi Pro League standings with 43 points from 32 matches, the Mills of Sudair trail their upcoming opponents by eight points.
The hosts are unbeaten in their last four matches, with two wins preceding their recent draws. However, they will be keen to avoid a third consecutive game without a win, especially against an opponent they have not beaten since 2019.
Despite being unbeaten in their last three home games (one draw and two victories), Rasovic’s men have struggled at home, winning just four out of 16 matches.
Al-Taawoun snapped their two-game winless run with a 1-0 victory over Al Shabab at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Saturday, thanks to a 52nd-minute penalty converted by Joao Pedro Coelho.
Pericles Chamusca‘s side now have 55 points from 32 matches, putting them fourth in the league standings and in contention for the final AFC Champions League spot.
The Wolves have not secured consecutive wins in nearly two months, but they will be hoping their strong away form will see them through on Thursday. They boast the third-best away record in the league and are unbeaten in their last nine away matches.
Al-Taawoun also hold the upper hand against their Thursday hosts, having not lost in their last seven meetings with three wins and four draws.
Al Fayha Saudi Pro League form:
Al-Taawoun Saudi Pro League form:
Team News
Al Fahya will be without Mohammed Majrashi and Malek Al-Abdulmenem who are both sidelined due to cruciate ligament injuries.
Henry Onyekuru, Saud Zidan and Anthony Nwakaeme are also going to miss this clash as a result of varying injuries, while Abdelhamid Sabiri is on a special leave.
Al-Taawoun’s Rakan Al-Tulayhi remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament issue, while Mateus is sidelined with a tendon tear.
Andrei Girotto, Abdulfattah Adam and Mohammed Mahzari are also out injured and will miss Thursday’s affair.
Al Fayha possible starting lineup:
Stojkovic; Al Rashidi, Al Khaibari, Al Shuwaish; Al Baqawi, Al Safri, Ryller, Al-Harthi; Mandash, Sakala, Konan
Al-Taawoun possible starting lineup:
Maylson; Al Shoeil, Al Ahmad, Al Saluli, Al Ghamdi; El Mahdioui, Al Oyayari, Flavio; Al Kuwaykibi, Pedro, Nasser
We say: Al Fayha 0-1 Al-Taawoun
Al-Taawoun have been the third-best side on the road this season and have not lost in their last nine away matches. The visitors are also on a seven-match run against the hosts and they look poised to extend this streak on Thursday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
