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Saudi Pro League | Gameweek 1
Aug 13, 2023 at 7pm UK
Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Sports City Stadium

Al Fateh
1 - 1
Al-Taawoun

Albirakan (24')
Faraj Al Zubaidi (57'), Alfehaid (90+8')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Girotto (45+1')
El Mahdioui (38'), Abdulmalik (87')

Preview: Al Fateh vs. Al-Taawoun - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Saudi Pro League clash between Al Fateh and Al-Taawoun, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Al Fateh will be looking to get their campaign off to a winning start when they host Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League on Sunday at Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium.

The hosts will have hopes of fighting for the title after a decent placement last season, while Al-Taawoun should be targeting a top-four finish this term.


Match preview

Watford manager Slaven Bilic on October 8, 2022© Reuters

Following on from a sixth-placed finish in the Saudi Pro League last term, Al Fateh are on the hunt to climb into the AFC Champions League places under new management this time around.

Former West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United boss Slaven Bilic has joined for the 2023-24 campaign after being dismissed of his duties at Championship club Watford in March.

The 54-year-old has previous experience of working outside of the comfort of European football, having taken charge of Beijing Guoan in China between January 2021 and 2022.

Al Fateh may not be favourites to win the league title this season, however they do have considerable prestige in the competition, being the only side based outside of Saudi Arabia's two major cities to win the Pro League since its inception in 2008.

Al-Taawoun have not tasted Pro League glory in their existence, however they do head into the new campaign with a manager who knows his way around Saudi Arabian football.

Pericles Chamusca has been working in the country since taking over at Al-Faisaly in October 2018, before he moved on to major managerial roles at Al Hilal and Al Shabab.

Unlike some of the sides in the division, Taawoun have not seen an influx of European stars to their squad, however the arrival of Andrei Girotto from Ligue 1 outfit Nantes will help bolster their defensive ranks.

Only last season's league winners Al Ittihad boasted a better away record than Chamusca's men in the 2022-23 term, suggesting the visitors could earn something for their efforts on Sunday.

Al Fateh form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • W

Al-Taawoun form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L


Team News

Al Fateh are set to hand a competitive debut to Lucas Zelarayan following the midfielder's switch from American side Columbus Crew this summer - the 31-year-old netted 10 goals in 20 MLS appearances before his departure.

Belgium international Jason Denayer will be looking to provide a calming presence at the back for Bilic's men, alongside former Almeria defender Francisco Velez.

Al-Taawoun are ready to give Brazilian winger Mateus his competitive debut following a transfer from Japanese outfit Nagoya Grampus during this summer's transfer window.

The visitors also secured the loan signing of Flavio from Trabzonspor in the Turkish Super Lig, and the 27-year-old should provide some steel in the midfield for Chamusca's men.


Al Fateh possible starting lineup:
Rinne; Zubaidi, Al-Oujami, Daheem, Al-Saeed; Fuhaid, Bendebka, Alothma, Tello, Zelarayan; Al-Buraikan

Al-Taawoun possible starting lineup:
Mailson; Al-Ghamdi, Dembele, Kadesh, Yaslam; Flavio, Mahdioui, Al-Mutairi, Mateus, Darwish; Kana


SM words green background

We say: Al Fateh 2-1 Al-Taawoun

Al Fateh will be hoping to make a title challenge under the stewardship of Bilic this term, and we envisage the hosts getting the better of Al-Taawoun on home soil on Sunday afternoon.

Both sides were evenly matched in the 2022-23 term, however the experience of Fateh's Serbian boss should be enough to secure an opening-day success.


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


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Al Fateh vs Al-Taawoun

Al Fateh
50.0%
Draw
33.3%
Al-Taawoun
16.7%
6
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Al Ittihad1110012681830
2Al-HilalAl-Hilal1191129111828
3Al-Nassr1164122101222
4Al ShababAl Shabab11713157822
5Al Quadisiya11713158722
6Al Khaleej116141514119
7Al-AhliAl-Ahli11524159617
8Al-TaawounAl-Taawoun114341110115
9Al Riyadh114341315-215
10Al RaedAl Raed114251616014
11Damac114251819-114
12Al Ettifaq11335915-612
13Al Orubah113171024-1410
14Al Okhdood112361215-39
15Al WahdaAl Wahda112361527-129
16Al Kholood111461321-87
17Al Fayha11146720-137
18Al Fateh11128820-125


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