Al Shabab will be looking to secure their first victory of the new Saudi Pro League season when they travel to Al Majma'ah Sports City on Friday night to face Al Fayha.

The hosts are not in the greatest form themselves heading into this clash, while Al Shabab are one of three sides yet to earn a maximum in the Pro League.

Match preview

Al Fayha kicked off their Pro League campaign in the superb style with a 3-1 home success over Al Khaleej, but since that victory on August 12, Friday's hosts have not managed to earn three points.

Four matches without a win leaves Vuk Rasovic's men eighth in the Pro League standings, having collected a steady six points from their opening five matches, sitting seven points behind early leaders Al-Hilal.

Supporters will be hoping for more attacking excitement this time around, with Al Fayha playing out back-to-back goalless draws in front of their home faithful most recently against Al Hazem and Al Raed.

The hosts secured the services of a promising talent from Serie A during the closing stages of the summer transfer window, with Moroccan Abdelhamid Sabiri joining from Fiorentina on a season-long loan.

Vladimir Stojkovic has been a calming presence in goal for Al Fayha so far this term and that effect has translated into positive statistics, with Rasovic's charges conceding just four times in their first five contests - only Al-Taawoun have let in fewer.

Following some interesting summer arrivals, there was an expectation that Al Shabab would be looking to compete at the top of the Pro League this campaign, but things have not gone smoothly so far for the Riyadh-based club.

Marcel Keizer's men are currently winless after five difficult fixtures to kick-start their domestic season, and a 3-1 loss to Al Khaleej last time out did not go down well with supporters.

Iago Santos put the hosts at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium ahead after just 20 minutes, but Al Khaleej fought back impressively - despite having Abdulelah Saeed sent off in the second half - with Mansour Hamzi, Fabio Martins and Mohamed Sherif getting on the scoresheet for the visitors.

Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo bagged a brace against Al Shabab on their last Pro League outing on August 29, with Sultan Al Ghanam and former Liverpool man Sadio Mane also making the net ripple during a game in which Keizer's side managed just a single shot on target.

White Lion sit 17th in the Pro League table having earned a mere two points from their opening five games - only Al Hazem's inferior goals-scored record has kept the three-time Saudi champions off the bottom of the standings during the campaign's first international break.

Team News

Al Fayha are expected to name a similar side to the one which earned a point against Al Raed, meaning Zambia international Fashion Sakala should regain his place in the XI, despite the former Rangers man missing a crucial penalty last time out.

Henry Onyekuru was tipped for a great career in European football during the early stages of his development in Belgium with Eupen and Anderlecht - the now 26-year-old winger is yet to score in five appearances for his new club since joining from Adana Demirspor in the summer.

Al Shabab will be without an experienced member of their squad on Friday night, with former Argentina international Ever Banega continuing to serve his suspension after picking up a red card during the heavy defeat at Al Nassr.

Riyadh Sharahili is a doubt for the trip to Al Fayha after the 30-year-old sustained an injury during the international break - the midfielder featured in the World Cup last year for Saudi Arabia.

Al Fayha possible starting lineup:
Stojkovic; Baqawi, Khaibari, Alrashidi, Shuwaish; Ryller, Mandash, Cimirot, Zifan, Onyekuru; Sakala

Al Shabab possible starting lineup:
Kim; Sagourq, Sharari, Santos, Alsebyani; Bahbri, Kanabah, Monassar, Cuellar, Al-Muwallad; Diallo

We say: Al Fayha 1-0 Al Shabab

Al Fayha have not tasted victory since the opening day of the season, however a home clash against a struggling Al Shabab side hands Rasovic's men the perfect chance to return to winning ways.

White Lion are the Pro League's leakiest defence so far, and we do not envisage a first clean sheet of the term arriving for them on Friday night in Al Majma'ah.


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