Al-Taawounvs.Al Shabab

Al Shabab, meanwhile, make the trip to Buraidah this weekend seeking to bounce back having seen their three-game winning run come to an end last time out.

Match preview

Al Shabab were on the receiving end of a narrow 2-1 defeat against Al Ahli in Thursday's meeting between the sides at the Al-Shabab Club Stadium.

Vitor Pereira's men took the lead after just 19 minutes through Yannick Carrasco but were pegged back on the stroke of half time by Franck Kessie before Roberto Firmino turned the game on its head in the early exchanges of the second period.

As a result, the White Lions have dropped down to ninth in the Saudi Pro League table with their continental dream over as they currently trail fourth place by 11 points.

Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who have lost only one of the last seven encounters, winning four of the other six.

Unbeaten in five straight matches on the road leading up to this weekend's contest, Saturday's visitors have proven themselves to be a tough nut to crack away from home of late.

Al-Taawoun had to settle for a share of the spoils following Thursday's goalless stalemate against Al Riyadh at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.

Pericles Chamusca's men were in the ascendancy for large spells of the contest but failed to convert their dominance into anything significant.

With 52 points amassed from 31 matches so far, The Wolves sit fourth in the league standings and remain in the driving seat to secure the final AFC Champions League spot.

Having managed just one clean sheet from their most recent nine matches on home turf, Saturday's hosts will need to keep things tight at the back if they are to pick up what would be only a third home victory of 2024.

Al-Taawoun Saudi Pro League form:

W

D

D

W

L

D

Al Shabab Saudi Pro League form:

W

D

W

W

W

L

Team News

Al-Taawoun's Musa Barrow has been sidelined since March and the Gambia international is still a considerable way off making his return to action.

Joao Pedro will be looking to deliver the goods once again having put on a man-of-the-match performance for the hosts in December's reverse fixture.

Yannick Carrasco's opener for Al Shabab against Al Ahli was his fourth goal in as many matches and the 30-year-old is definitely one to look out for here.

Midfielder Ivan Rakitic is still out of contention for the visitors, meaning that Riyadh Sharahili is in line to feature right from the off.

Al-Taawoun possible starting lineup:

Mailson; Al Shuayl, Al Ahmad, Al Saluli, Al Oyayari; El Mahdioui, Guanca, Flavio, Al Kuwaykibi, Al Shammari; Pedro

Al Shabab possible starting lineup:

Malayekah; Saiss, Santos, Al Sharari; Al Yami, Al Juwayr, Sharahili, Al Harbi; Al Saadi, Diallo, Carrasco

We say: Al-Taawoun 1-1 Al Shabab

Previews by email