Matchday two of the 2023 Saudi Pro League season sees Al Wahda entertain the challenge of Al Shabab at the King Abdul Aziz Stadium on Friday.

Both teams failed to come out on top in their respective opening fixtures, and they will be keen to get their season up and running with all three points here.

Match preview

Al Wahda were on the receiving end of a narrow 1-0 defeat against Al Riyadh when the teams went head-to-head at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Sunday.

Knowledge Musona opened the scoring in the 17th minute, and that proved to be the all-important moment which put Giorgos Donis's men to the sword.

Consequently, the Knights of Mecca have now been beaten in each of their last four outings across all competitions by a combined score of 6-0.

Next up is the task of facing off against an opposing outfit who have lost each of the most recent two meetings between the sides after going unbeaten in the nine previous clashes prior.

Having picked up just one win in 10 home outings leading up to Friday's contest, the hosts will be keen to turn things around in front of their fans.

Al Shabab had to make do with a share of the spoils in their curtain-raiser against Al Akhdoud, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate on Friday evening.

Marcel Keizer's men fell behind to Andrei Burca's penalty four minutes before half time but drew level through Ahmed Abdou just shy of the midway point of the second period.

The White Lions are now without defeat in eight of their last nine matches dating back to last season's Saudi Pro League finale against Damac back in May.

However, Friday's hosts are currently on a run of two wins in eight matches away from home and now set out to get themselves going on enemy territory.

Team News

In a bid to aid Al Wahda's recent struggles in front of goal, new arrival Odion Ighalo is expected to be handed a place in the lineup here.

Hazzaa Al Ghamdi grabbed the winner for the hosts in last season's edition of this fixture, and the midfielder will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

Hassan Tambakti was hauled off with an injury scare 21 minutes into in Al Shabab's last outing, making the 24-year-old a doubt for this one.

Should Tambakti be deemed unfit to participate, Nader Al Sharari is in line to come into the XI for what would be his only a first start in almost two months.

Al Wahda possible starting lineup:
Atiah; Al Bukhari, Al Hafith, Bakshween, Al Muwallad; Al Eisa, Fajr, Al Haji, Noor; Anselmo, Ighalo

Al Shabab possible starting lineup:
Kim; Al Saqour, Santos, Al-Sharari, Al Harbi; Al Qahtani, Cuellar, Banega; Al Shammry, Al Ammar, Al Joui

We say: Al Wahda 0-2 Al Shabab

Al Shabab were a tad unlucky not to have come away with all three points last time out, and they will be confident of edging out Al Wahda, who simply cannot buy a goal at the moment. We are backing the away side to get the job done come the sound of the final whistle.


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