Preview: Al Fayha vs. Al Hazem - prediction, team news, lineups

Al Fayha welcome Al Hazem to Al Majma'ah Sports City for a Saudi Pro League encounter on Friday evening.

The hosts have made a strong start, while newly-promoted Al Hazem are struggling on their top flight return.

Match preview

Al Fayha's strong start began with a comfortable 3-1 win over Al Khaleej on the opening day of the season.

Vuk Rasovic's side followed that up with a surprise draw at one of the title favourites Al Hilal, who had the likes of Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Malcom in their side.

An unbeaten start to the new campaign means Fayha have lost just once in their last seven league games - against current champions Al Ittihad.

Fayha find themselves tied-fourth, with identical records as Al Hilal and Al Fateh in this early stage of the season.

The club's cup success in 2022 means they will play AFC Champions League football this season, so a good start will be important before the workload increases for the side.

In comparison, Al Hazem have had a very disappointing start on their return after promotion last season.

They are one of four teams who have started with two defeats from two, along with Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr, Al Khaleej and Al Raed.

A hat-trick from Roberto Firmino sunk Hazem on the opening day in a 3-1 defeat to Al Ahli, where they scored their only goal of the season so far.

Vina's strike, gifted to him by an awful error by former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, was only a consolation though, as Firmino grabbed the headlines.

It was another Liverpool legend that got the better of Filipe Gouveia's men last weekend, when Steven Gerrard's Al Ettifaq beat them 2-0.

Without the spending capabilities of the PIF-backed clubs, and without the pulling power AFC Champions League football has brought for the hosts here, Hazem could struggle again.

Team News

Fashion Sakala has enjoyed a dream start in the colours of Al Fayha, scoring in both games as well as registering an assist for Ricardo's opener against Al Khaleej.

Gojko Cimirot has nailed down a starting spot since arriving from Standard Liege, while former Everton forward Henry Onyekuru made his full debut at Al Hilal.

Anthony Nwakaeme is one of the notable omissions from the squad currently as the Nigerian remains out injured.

Al Hazem's most eye-catching addition over the summer has been Tunisian international goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, who has joined from Sfaxien.

Bruno Viana made his debut off the bench in defence late on in the defeat against Al Ettifaq after arriving on loan from Coritiba.

Saudi Arabia is the fifth country Viana has played in since 2021, after turning out for sides in Portugal, Brazil, Russia and China.

Al Fayha possible starting lineup:

Stojkovic; Al Safari, Al Baqawi, Al Rashidi, Al Shuwaish, Al Qaydhi; Mandash, Cimirot, Victor Ruiz, Onyekuru; Sakala

Al Hazem possible starting lineup:

Dahmen; Al Bakr, Paulo Ricardo, Bruno Viana, Al Dakheel, Al Otaibi; Al Sayyali, Al Mhemaid, Toze; Vina, Al Shammari

We say: Al Fayha 2-0 Al Hazem

Not much separated the sides the last time they met in the top flight during 2021-22, with a win apiece in their league encounters.

However, Feiha look stronger on paper after some notable signings and will be the favourites here.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.