Gameweek 11 in the Saudi Pro League will see Al Fayha take on Al-Nassr at the King Fahd International Stadium on Saturday evening.
The hosts are currently in eighth place in the league with 14 points after their first 10 matches, while the visitors are third and just four points behind the current league leaders Al Hilal, who are on 26 points.
Match preview
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After finishing last season in 11th place, Al Fayha have made a mixed start to the 2023-24 campaign, recording three wins, five draws and two losses in their first ten matches.
Al-Burtuqal returned from the international break with a 2-1 win over Al Akhdoud last week, which extended their recent record in the top flight to four games unbeaten, including two wins and two draws.
However, they were unable to deliver the same type of performance in the AFC Champions League when they were comprehensively beaten 4-1 by UAE Pro League outfit Al Ain, which saw them drop to third place in Group A of that competition.
The biggest issue of late for the hosts has been their home form, as they have not only failed to win any of their last four matches at the King Fahd International Stadium, but they have also failed to score in any of those matches.
While the last encounter between these sides ended in a stalemate, Vuk Rasovic's side have failed to beat this opponent in their last eight attempts, losing five and drawing three, while they have also been outscored 14-4 in that time.
Meanwhile, after narrowly missing out on the title last season, Al-Nassr look determined to challenge for the crown again this term and come into this match carrying excellent momentum.
The Knights of Najd claimed a 4-3 win over Al Duhail in midweek to take the lead in their AFC Champions League group, and that result also extended their recent record to 13 games unbeaten in all competitions.
During that time, the visitors won 12 matches, with their only dropped points coming against Abha in the league, when the sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw just before the international break.
Al-Alami have been clinical in front of goal this season, already on 28 goals in their 10 league matches, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, who is the league's current top scorer with 11 goals to his name.
With a six-match winning streak in away games and a solid record against this opponent, Al-Nassr are the clear favourites to win this match, and they also have a chance of moving into second position, with Al Taawoun drawing against Al Khaleej on Thursday evening.
Team News
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Rasovic has only one enforced absentee in this match, with Mohammed Majrashi ruled out for the foreseeable future with a cruciate ligament injury that he picked up before the international break.
Fashion Sakala is the host's top goal-scorer this season, and he should almost certainly start this match alongside Abdelhamid Sabiri and Henry Onyekuru, with Anthony Nwakaeme leading the line.
Luis Castro's side are still without first-choice goalkeeper David Ospina, who is suffering from an elbow injury, which should see Raghed Al-Najjar continue between the sticks in this match.
Sultan Al Ghannam was shown a straight red against Abha at the start of the month and will remain sidelined for the next two matches, meaning Nawaf Boushal will likely continue at right-back in his absence.
Al Fayha possible starting lineup:
Stojkovic; Baqawi, Al-Khaibari, Al-Rashidi, Konan; Cimirot, Ricardo, Sakala, Sabiri, Onyekuru; Nwakaeme
Al-Nassr possible starting lineup:
Al-Najjar; Boushal, Alamri, Laporte, Telles; Fofana, Al-Khaibari, Otavio, Talisca, Mane; Ronaldo
We say: Al Fayha 1-3 Al-Nassr
While the hosts secured a good win in their last league match, they face a much harder opponent here, who have been banging in goals for fun over the last few weeks. Al-Nassr look like they are in an excellent rhythm at present, and we fancy them to claim another three points in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
