Croatia
Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Preview: Al Tai vs. Al Wahda - prediction, team news, lineups

sportsmole.co.uk, 22 August 2023, 15:10
Two sides who struggled in during the final stretch of last season meet in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday, when Al Tai host Al Wahda.

The two clubs met in the top tier for the first time since 2008 last season, with Al Wahda coming out on top on both occasions by a single-goal margin.

Match preview

After an opening day 1-0 success over Damac raised spirits following a woeful finish to the 2022-23 campaign, Al Tai fell to defeat at the weekend.

A 2-0 defeat to champions Al Ittihad was to be expected though, and was also a repeat of the scoreline when the two sides met on the final day last season.

That did see them round off their campaign with five losses from five though, but despite taking just 34 points from 30 matches, Al Tai finished in ninth.

The lob-sided nature of the league was evident, and the huge spending seen by the PIF-backed clubs may mean this margin gets even bigger.

Al Tai have nowhere near the financial might of the top clubs, so their aim will be to maintain a healthy position in mid-table again like last season.

The arrival of Virgil Misidjan from Twente looks set to be a notable one though, as the Dutch winger scored nine Eredivisie goals in helping his club qualify for Europe last season.

After two matches, visitors Al Wahda also have three points on the board, after responding well to an opening day defeat with a fine 3-1 win over Al Shabab.

Manager George Donis had goalkeeper Abdulquddus Atiah to thank though, as he saved two Al Shabab penalties on their way to claiming victory.

It was the perfect response after losing to newly-promoted Al Riyadh in their opening fixture of the season.

Al Wahda have made two notable additions to the squad, with Odion Ighalo and Moroccan World Cup star Jawad El Yamiq both signing last week.

El Yamiq made his debut off the bench against Al Shabab and rather unfortunately scored an own goal in stoppage time, but it did not affect the result.

The club will hope those two additions can help them to improve drastically on a disappointing campaign last season.

Finishing fourth-bottom as the league's lowest scorers with 26 was underwhelming, but a run to the domestic cup final gave the supporters something to look back on.

They even led until the ninth minute of stoppage time in the final, but a late equaliser was followed by a 7-6 defeat on penalties to Al Hilal.

Al Tai Saudi Pro League form:

W

L

Al Wahda Saudi Pro League form:

L

W

Advert - content below:

Team News

New signings Robert Bauer and Enzo Roco are set to start as Al Tai's centre-back pairing for this encounter.

Fellow new faces Misidjan and Bernard Mensah will also look to provide some explosiveness in attack, as well as a keen eye for goal.

Former Benfica, Nottingham Forest and Reading Alfa Semedo should start as the sole holding midfielder for the hosts.

Donis could give Ighalo his Al Wahda debut here following his move from Al Hilal last week.

Despite his unfortunate own goal on debut, El Yamiq should also come into the side at centre-back, and would join his Moroccan compatriot Faycal Fajr in the side.

Al Tai possible starting lineup:

Victor Braga; Alnakhli, Bauer, Roco, Salem; Alfa Semedo, Mensah, Abdullah; Asiri, Shamlan, Misidjan

Al Wahda possible starting lineup:

Atiah; Al Muwallad, Bakshween, Al Hafith, Hawsawi; Noor, Al Haji, Fajr, Al Eisa; Al Ghamdi, Anselmo

We say: Al Tai 1-1 Al Wahda

There was not much to separate the sides last season despite Al Wahda's two victories, and there was not much to split them in terms of points so a close game could be in store.

Previews by email

Top News

23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk There is a legitimate case that Mohamed Salah is the Premier League's best ever player, and he could surpass Thierry Henry sooner rather than later, according to Liverpool expert David Lynch. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool's 6-3 victory against Tottenham Hotspur proves that the club are the most complete side in the Premier League, and their title rivals should fear them, according to Reds expert David Lynch. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Three years have passed since Zinedine Zidane last took to the dugout - but he is in no rush to return. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Manchester United are in desperate need of a response when they travel to struggling Wolves on Boxing Day, live on talkSPORT. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are readying an offer of €60m (£49.8m) for the signature of AC Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana, according to a report. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out a return for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford against Wolves on Boxing Day. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal will not be playing on Boxing Day this year as they welcome Ipswich to the Emirates on Friday night instead. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe has affirmed that he does not expect Liverpool-linked midfielder Martin Zubimendi to push for an exit during the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has insisted that there is "no deadline" to sign a new contract at Anfield as he prepares to enter the last six months of his current terms. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table against Leicester in Boxing Day's late kick-off. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Mason Mount is set for another lengthy injury absence, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Liverpool will face Leicester City on Boxing Day, live on talkSPORT, after celebrating Christmas at the top of the Premier League table. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Kai Havertz could move to the Arsenal right wing following the injury blow to Bukayo Saka. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Michael Owen has slammed the Aston Villa supporters who booed Jack Grealish - and told them to 'hang your heads in shame'. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Former Manchester City star Jesus Navas couldn't hold back the tears as he was given an emotional send-off before his retirement. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that he expects Bukayo Saka to be out for "many weeks" with the hamstring injury he suffered in Saturday's 5-1 Premier League win over Crystal Palace. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly struggling to attract offers for one of their fringe players ahead of the January transfer window. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Everton defender Ben Godfrey. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Gareth Southgate had an Adele hit on repeat before stepping down as England manager. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is set to be ruled out until February, talkSPORT understands. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly identified a Sporting Lisbon youngster as a potential signing for Strasbourg. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Big things were expected of Marko Mitrovic when he joined Chelsea as a 16-year-old in 2008. 23 December 2024 talksport.com talkSPORT has today announced that is has won radio rights to the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 coverage. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Boxing Day football is beloved by fans and one of the highlights of the Christmas schedule - but it can prove tricky for the players. 23 December 2024 talksport.com A handful of Premier League stars will be able to spend Christmas at home this year after receiving a Boxing Day ban. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea return to action on Boxing Day when they play host to local rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Lisandro Martinez has claimed that Manchester United were "playing so well" before losing 3-0 to Bournemouth on Sunday. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has allegedly made a further two senior players available for transfer. 23 December 2024 talksport.com Arsenal have reportedly scouted Atalanta striker Mateo Retegui as an alternative transfer target to Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres. 23 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly discovered the asking price of Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro.