[monks data]
Saudi Pro League | Gameweek 34
May 26, 2025 at 7pm UK
Al Majma'ah Sports City Stadium (Al Majma'ah)

Al Fayha
0 - 2
Al Shabab


Lopez (28'), Al-Rashidi (66')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Bonaventura (9'), Guanca (85')
Harbush (90+3')

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

Sports Mole previews Monday's Saudi Pro League clash between Al Fayha and Al Shabab, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Fighting for a top-half finish as the Saudi Pro League season draws to a close, Al Fayha will welcome Al Shabab to Al Majma'ah Sports City Stadium on Monday.

Al Burtuqali will be looking to bounce back after tasting defeat last time out, while Al Latih will be hoping to end the campaign by making it three wins from their final four games.


Match preview

Al Fayha club captain Sami Al-Khaibari pictured on July 20, 2021© Imago

Pedro Emanuel's Al Fayha have alternated between victory and defeat across their last four fixtures, though they still have an outside chance of finishing in the top half on matchday 34.

On Wednesday, Al Burtuqali were beaten 2-0 on the road by Al Kholood, who struck late in both halves through Hammam Al Hammami and Aliou Dieng, and the manager will be frustrated that his team controlled possession yet produced three times fewer shots on goal than their opponents.

Dropping three points in midweek saw Emanuel's side fall down to 13th in the table after they were overtaken by both Fakhr Ar Rass and Al Fateh.

However, Monday's hosts will be confident of making up the ground on their rivals, buoyed by the fact that they have won their last three on the bounce at Al Majma'ah Sports City Stadium and have only lost once at home in 2025.

Victory would see Al Fayha end the campaign on 39 points, a tally that could be enough to take them up to ninth place ahead of Al Fateh, Al Kholood, Al Khaleej and Al Riyadh.

Al Shabab manager Fatih Terim on May 11, 2025© Imago

Meanwhile, Fatih Terim's Al Shabab have fallen short of reaching the top flight's AFC competition places after dropping 10 points across their last six games, but they will want to end their campaign on a positive note before pushing on next term.

This past Tuesday, Al Latih narrowly lost 3-2 to champions Al Ittihad, and though the result was not surprising, the boss will have been disappointed to see his team concede in the first minute.

That defeat left Terim's men sixth, where their 57 points has them 11 behind third-placed Al-Qadisah, who currently occupy the division's spot for entry into the AFC Champions League 2.

As they look to put their best foot forward with 2025-26 in mind, Monday's visitors will be aware of the fact that they have performed significantly better on their own turf than on the road, though having lost just two of their last eight away games, their resilience could earn them at least one point this week.

Al Shabab's 18th victory of the season would see them close out the campaign on 60 points, 24 above their opponents, and would also mark the third time that they have beaten Al Fayha this year.

Al Fayha Saudi Pro League form:

Al Shabab Saudi Pro League form:


Team News

Wesley Hoedt of Al Shabab in action on May 11, 2025© Imago

Al Fayha could be without midfielder Gojko Cimirot after he was taken off with an injury against Al Kholood, and Nawwaf Al Harthi may take his place alongside Otabek Shukurov.

Likewise, club captain and centre-back Sami Al-Khaibari is unavailable, so expect to see Mokher Al-Rashidi, Chris Smalling and Gabriel Vareta line up in a back three.

On the flanks, Fashion Sakala and Mohamed Al Baqawi will provide width from wing-back, supporting Khalid Al-Kaabi and Alejandro Pozuelo behind striker Renzo Lopez.

As for Al Shabab, front man Abderrazak Hamdallah was forced off through injury during the first half of his side's game against Al Ittihad, and Haroune Camara is likely to join Daniel Podence and Yannick Carrasco in Terim's forward line on Monday.

In the centre of the park, Glen Kamara should start as part of a trio featuring Musab Al Juwayr and Cristian Guaca, who scored in Tuesday's defeat.

Elsewhere, centre-backs Mohamed Al Shwirekh and Wesley Hoedt will start at the heart of defence for Al Latih, protecting Hoerhiy Bushchan between the sticks.


Al Fayha possible starting lineup:
Mosquera; Al-Rashidi, Smalling, Vareta; Baqawi, Shukurov, Al Harthi, Sakala; Al-Kaabi, Pozuelo; Lopez

Al Shabab possible starting lineup:
Bushchan; Al-Thani, Shwirekh, Hoedt, Renan; Juwayr, Kamara, Guanca; Podence, Camara, Carrasco


SM words green background© PA Photos

We say: Al Fayha 2-1 Al Shabab

Al Fayha may be in mixed form overall, but their home record that features three consecutive wins ahead of this clash suggests that they will be expecting to take all three points on their own turf.

Additionally, Al Shabab have been notably weaker on the road, and they could find it tough to gain a foothold in Monday's game.


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



VOTE IN THE 2024-25 SPORTS MOLE READERS' AWARDS!

Voting is now open for the annual Sports Mole Readers' Awards, where you can pick your player of the season, manager of the season, signing of the season and much more.

Click here to make your selections, and the winners will be announced on Monday, May 26!



ID:573414:1false2false3false: from db desktop :LenBod:collect13033:
Written by
Anthony Nolan

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Al Fayha vs Al Shabab

Al Fayha
80.0%
Draw
0.0%
Al Shabab
20.0%
5
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach Gary O'Neil in August 2024.
Read Next:
"Nothing but positive words" - Wolves sell long-serving player to Saudi club
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CAl Ittihad34265379354483
2Al-HilalAl-Hilal34236595415475
3Al-Nassr34217680384270
4Al Quadisiya34215853312268
5Al-AhliAl-Ahli34214969363367
6Al ShababAl Shabab341861065412460
7Al Ettifaq34148124445-150
8Al-TaawounAl-Taawoun34129134039145
9Al Kholood34124184264-2240
10Al Fateh34116174761-1439
11Al Riyadh34108163752-1538
12Al Khaleej34107174057-1737
13Al Fayha34812142749-2236
14Damac3498173750-1335
15Al Okhdood3497183356-2334
16Al WahdaAl Wahda3496194267-2533
17Al Orubah3493223174-4330
RAl RaedAl Raed3463254166-2521


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!