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

Al Shabab and Damac will both be looking to claim maximum points for the first time this season when they go head-to-head in Riyadh on Friday.

The two sides have made an underwhelming start to the new Saudi Pro League campaign, with both teams picking up just one point from their opening two matches.

Match preview

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After reaching the semi-finals of the Arab Club Championship, Al Shabab entered the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season in encouraging form.

However, the confidence gained from that promising run has been dented by their poor start to their league campaign, which began with a 1-1 draw against Al Akhdoud.

Rather than building upon their opening-day point, Marcel Keizer's side suffered disappointment in their most recent outing against Al Wehda, falling to a 3-1 defeat in a game where Ever Banega and Habib Diallo failed to convert from the penalty spot.

Including the end of the 2022-23 campaign, Al Shabab have now won just one of their previous seven league matches (D1, L5).

On a positive note, their only win in that period took place against Friday's opponents on the final day of last season when they cruised to a 4-1 away victory.

Unlike their hosts, Damac were not involved in the Arab Club Championship, ensuring that their 2023-24 campaign began a couple of weeks ago with an away game against Al Tai, which resulted in a narrow 1-0 defeat.

They looked to be heading to another loss in their home fixture against Al Riyadh when Saleh Al Abbas netted a first-half brace to put the visitors in control at the break.

However, Abdullah Al-Ammar scored a brace of his own in the second period, including a dramatic equaliser in the 10th minute of stoppage time, to rescue a point for his side.

While Cosmin Contra would have been pleased to see his players salvage a 2-2 draw, he will be disappointed with the fact that the club's last 11 league games have yielded just two victories (D3, L6).

If the visitors are to claim a positive result on Friday, they will need to produce a strong defensive display, having conceded in 10 of their previous 11 away matches in the Saudi Pro League.

Team News

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After completing a move from Abha during the week, Nawaf Al-Sadi could be brought into the side to make his first appearance for Al Shabab.

Diallo was unable to mark his debut with a goal, but the former Strasbourg striker will be hoping to score his first goal for the club when he leads the line against Damac.

Summer addition Gustavo Cuellar will continue to operate in a midfield three alongside Hussain Al-Qahtani and Banega.

As for the visitors, Georges-Kevin N'Koudou could be given his first start for Damac after coming off the bench to make his debut last weekend.

Fahad Al-Juhani is also in contention to feature in the starting lineup, having appeared as a substitute in his first two games for the club.

Assan Ceesay, who joined from Italian side Lecce this summer, will continue to operate in the forward line, as he bids to score his first goal for his new club.

Al Shabab possible starting lineup:

Kim; Al-Sagour, Santos, Al-Sharari, Al-Harbi; Al-Qahtani, Cuellar, Banega; Al-Ammar, Al-Sadi, Diallo

Damac possible starting lineup:

Zeghba; Al-Hawsawi, Chafai, Bedrane, Al-Ammar; Al-Bishi, Maher, Antolic, N'Koudou; Al-Juhani, Ceesay

We say: Al Shabab 2-1 Damac

Although Al Shabab will be frustrated with their opening two results, they will be confident of claiming all three points due to their positive head-to-head record.

They have won their last four competitive meetings against Damac, and we think that they will continue that impressive run of results by claiming a narrow victory on Friday.

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