Al-Taawoun
- Al-Taawoun are 3rd in the Pro League table with nine wins, one draw and two losses from 12 matches, having scored 27 goals and allowed 14.
- Péricles Chamusca’s team have been in good form, winning four of their last six in all competitions and scoring plenty of goals.
- Chamusca’s approach is practical, but also adventurous.
- The home team press high to win the ball back early and punish teams on the break, where their pace and physicality can make life very tough for opponents.
- Transitional play has been key to Al-Taawoun’s recent successes, but Chamusca’s tactical flexibility and ability to create set-piece danger should not be underestimated.
Al-Shabab
- Al-Shabab are 15th with one win, six draws and five losses after 12 matches.
- Imanol Alguacil’s gameplan for Al-Shabab is more in the mould of the possession-based, structured football that he played at Real Sociedad.
- His side are patient in possession, pressing in a structured manner and overloading the wide areas, but they have struggled to convert control into goals this season.
- Yacine Adli, a recent midfield addition, is the man who controls the tempo and does his best to link up Al-Shabab’s attacks, although he is still adjusting to the pace of the league.
- Al-Shabab have lost three consecutive matches to Al-Fateh, Al-Qadsiah and Al-Ittihad, scoring just two goals in their last five games.
- Up front, Alguacil has the experience of Abderrazak Hamdallah and Cristian Guanca to rely on, although both have struggled to find the net during the team's current slump.
Key Players
- Roger Martínez, a constant goal threat, has been the fulcrum of Al-Taawoun’s frontline in recent weeks and his movement and finishing ability should be a problem for the visitors’ defense.
- Angelo Fulgini, meanwhile, is a constant menace to opponents in the midfield, a provider of key passes and an accurate finisher.
- On the flanks, Romain Faivre is a regular spark for Al-Taawoun, creating overloads and contributing to several key chances in recent games.
- Yacine Adli, a recent midfield addition, is the man who controls the tempo and does his best to link up Al-Shabab’s attacks, although he is still adjusting to the pace of the league.
- Up front, Alguacil has the experience of Abderrazak Hamdallah and Cristian Guanca to rely on, although both have struggled to find the net during the team's current slump.
Betting Insights
- The hosts, currently third in the Saudi Professional Football League, are the bookmakers’ favorites to win, with Al-Shabab listed at 3.4 and the draw at 3.3.
- The market is right to highlight goals with both teams to score at 1.75 and over 2.5 goals at even money.
Prediction
- Al-Taawoun have an extra gear in terms of energy and should disrupt the rhythm of Al-Shabab’s game, while the visitors have failed to convert their share of possession into goals this season.
- The home side’s form, league position and attacking firepower is sufficient to tip them for the win.
