Al Fayha and Al Raed get round five of the Saudi Professional League underway when they go head to head at the King Salman Sport City Stadium on Friday.
The Raed Al Tahadi head into the weekend fresh off the back of picking up their first win of the season and will be looking to keep the juggernaut rolling.
Match preview
Al Fayha were condemned to their first defeat of the new Professional League campaign as they were beaten 2-1 by Abha at the Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium on Monday.
Despite seeing over 60% of the ball possession and being in the ascendancy for most of the game, Al Fayha were made to rue their lack of cutting edge in front of goal as strikes from Karl Toko Ekambi and Ahmed Abdu saw the hosts claim all three points.
Prior to that, Al Fayha kicked off the season with a convincing 3-1 victory over Al-Khaleej on August 12 courtesy of goals from Ricardo Ryler, Fashion Sakala and Sultan Mandash.
However, Vuk Rasovic's men failed to build on their opening-day victory as they played out successive draws against Al-Hilal and Al Hazem in their two subsequent outings.
Al-Fayha now return home, where they are unbeaten in four of their last five matches — claiming two wins and two draws — with a 3-0 loss against Al-Ittihad on May 27 being the exception.
Al Raed, on the other hand, turned in a performance of the highest quality last Monday when they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Al Riyadh at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium.
Mohamed Fouzair netted a first-half brace to put the hosts in a commanding position heading into half time before Amir Saayoud struck in the 68th minute to cap off a brilliant team performance.
This was a much-needed victory for Igor Jovicevic's men, who had lost each of their previous five outings, including successive defeats against Al-Ittihad, Abba and Al-Hilal in their first three games of the new Saudi top-flight campaign.
Next up for the Raed Al Tahadi is a trip to the King Salman Sport City Stadium, where they have failed to win each of their last three visits, losing twice and claiming one draw since a 3-0 victory in October 2018.
While Al Raed will be looking to end this run, they have struggled for results away from home, where they are currently on a seven-match winless run, losing five and picking up two draws since March's 3-0 victory at Al-Adalah.
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Team News
Al Fayha will take to the pitch without the services of Brazilian midfielder Ricardo Ryller, who was forced off with a first-half injury in the league opener against Al-Khaleej on August 12.
Anthony Nwakaeme, who netted nine goals and provided three assists last season, has also missed the hosts' last three matches after coming off injured against Al-Khaleej.
Off the back of a solid team display, Jovicevic could name an unchanged Al Raed XI this weekend, with Mohammed Al-Dosari, Abdullah Al-Fahad, Bander Whaeshi and Khalid Alsubaie forming the back four once again.
Saayoud opened his account for the season last time out and should retain his role at the centre of the park, forming the midfield trio with Mansour Al Bishi and Mansour Al Bishi.
At the attacking end of the pitch, Fouzair will be looking to pick up where he dropped off against Al-Riyadh and should retain his role in the final third, alongside Karim El Berkaoui and Yahya Sunbul.
Al Fayha possible starting lineup:
Stokovic; Mohanad Algaydhi, Hussain Al-Showaish, Sami Al-Khaibary, Mokher Al-Rashidi, Abdulrahma Al-Safri; Sakala, Zidan, Cimirot, Onyekuru; Pavkov
Al Raed possible starting lineup:
Moreira; Al-Dosari, Al-Fahad, Whaeshi, Alsubaie; Al Bishi, Saayoud, Al Bishi; Fouzair, El Berkaoui, Sunbul
We say: Al Fayha 1-1 Al Raed
Buoyed by their victory over Al-Riyadh, Al Raed will head into the weekend with renewed belief as they look to put together a fine run of form. However, they have their work cut out against an Al-Fayha side who have been solid at home this year. That said, we predict a cagey affair on Friday, with both sides settling for a share of the spoils.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
