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Al-Ahlivs.Al Fayha

sportsmole.co.uk, 25 May 2024, 16:11
Al Fayha will be attempting to finish seventh in the Saudi Pro League when they travel to face Al-Ahli in the final game of the season.

It is a must-win match if the visitors want to leapfrog the team above them, while the hosts are just looking to wrap up the campaign with three points.

Match preview

It has been a strong campaign for Al-Ahli, but there is nothing for them to play for on the final day of the season when it comes to the league table.

Matthias Jaissle's men will finish the season in third place, narrowly missing out on the top two, which is largely down to how many games they have drawn in comparison to those above them.

One of those took place in their most recent outing as Al-Ahli were held to a goalless draw against Al-Raed, which did stretch their recent unbeaten run to three games.

Al-Ahli have been a stronger outfit in home fixtures throughout this campaign which should give them some confidence as they have only lost two league games in their ground all season.

They will also have belief coming from the previous meeting between these teams earlier in the campaign, when it was a dominant 4-0 victory for Al-Ahli, with every single goal taking place in the first half.

That is a result the visitors will be keen to avenge, largely because it was such a heavy defeat, but also because they still have something to play for in terms of the league table.

Al Fayha heads into the game in eighth place at the moment, but with just one point between them and Al Fateh, there is plenty on the line in this fixture.

However, while the visitors will be aiming to finish as high as possible they will also be wary of the fact a defeat could see them slip down to ninth depending on Al Shabab's result.

Al Fayha are undefeated across their past five matches, having ended the season in strong fashion, but the last three results have all ended in draws.

Vuk Rasovic shall try and push his men to go one step further this time, and the fact they have been a better team on the road this season could lead to them wrapping things up in style.

Al-Ahli Saudi Pro League form:

L

W

L

W

W

D

Al Fayha Saudi Pro League form:

L

W

W

D

D

D

Team News

Former Liverpool attacker Roberto Firmino should find himself in the number 10 role for the hosts on Monday, looking to provide plenty lots of link-up play.

While at the other end of the pitch, experienced Champions League winner Edouard Mendy will attempt to shut out the opponents and pick up a consecutive clean sheet.

The visitors are missing two players due to cruciate ligament injuries as Mohammed Majrashi and Malek Al-Abdulmenem will continue to be on the sidelines until next season.

Henry Onyekuru, Saud Zidan and Anthony Nwakaeme are also out of action due to injuries, while Mohammed Al Baqawi is missing due to suspension.

Al-Ahli possible starting lineup:

Mendy; Ibanez, Demiral, Hindi, Yaslam; Kessie, Aljohani; Al-Nabit, Firmino, Alrashidi; Al-Buraikan

Al Fayha possible starting lineup:

Stojkovic; Al Rashidi, Al Khaibari, Al Shuwaish, Faqeehi; Al Safri, Ryller, Al-Harthi; Mandash, Sakala, Konan

We say: Al-Ahli 1-2 Al Fayha

Al-Ahli might have been the stronger team throughout the season, but with nothing to play for it could open the game up for the visitors.

Al Fayha can only move up one place, but that should be enough incentive to push them in this fixture, and with their strong away record they might just wrap up the campaign with a win.

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