The Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium will host Al Qadsiah’s home clash against Al Fayha in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday. The two sides will play one-on-one, with kickoff slated for 15:30 GMT+1.
Key Highlights
Al Qadsiah
In the opening nine rounds of Saudi Pro League fixtures, Al Qadsiah have shown good form overall; 5 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. This run of form sees them sit 5th on the table with a 56% win rate in the league.
In front of the home supporters, Al Qadsiah have shown brilliant home form, with three wins and one loss in the four matches they have played at home. Away from home, they have two wins, one draw, and two losses, showing a slight dip in their form.
While their form has been ascendant, their form in front of goal has been underwhelming; they have notched just 11 goals in 9 outings, which is an underperformance on their xG For at 1.4, which translates to around 12 goals.
Al Qadsiah’s strength this season has been their defensive solidity; they have conceded seven goals in nine matches, the joint-second-lowest in the Saudi Pro League. This tally is an overperformance on their xG Against stat at 1.14, which translates to 10 expected goals conceded.
After back-to-back wins in the Saudi Pro League, Al Qadsiah will be motivated to drive their record in the league and rise on the table when they host lowly Al Fayha.
Fresh off the Eastern Derby win, Al Qadsiah will look to press home their advantage against Al Fayha
Al Fayha
Al Fayha have posted wretched numbers so far this season; their poor form includes one win, four draws, and four losses. This means that they sit 16th on the Saudi Pro League table.
Al Fayha’s home-away split shows little difference. At home, they have one win, one draw, and two defeats; away from home, they have 0 wins, three draws, and two losses, which means they have collected 4 points at home and 3 points away from home.
Al Fayha have struggled in front of goal with just 7 goals scored, which is an underperformance on their average xG For pegged at 1.15. This stat shows that Al Fayha have struggled in front of goal, creating chances and taking them on rare occasions they create good ones.
In the defensive phase, Al Fayha sit at the bottom-end of the goals conceded, shipping 17 goals in nine outings. This defensive record is worse than their xG Against, pegged at 1.58 and translating into 14 goals conceded.
Al Fayha manager Christos Kontis needs to devise a new approach to achieving a balance between attack and defense before facing the in-form Al Qadsiah on Thursday.
Injury Report
Al Qadsiah will miss the services of defensive midfielder and long-term absentee Ibrahim Mohannashi, who is nursing a cruciate ligament tear. However, this will not affect Al Qadsiah’s recent strength and form.
Al Fayha will not be able to call on the services of Henry Onekuru. The 27-year-old left winger is nursing an unspecified injury.
Team News
Aubamenyang and Quinones (who scored a goal in the 2-0 win over Al Ettifaq last time out) will continue leading the line for Al Qadsiah.
Khalid Kaabi, who was instrumental in Al Fayha’s away 1-1 draw at Al Fateh, will play in attack alongside Lopez, Abdi, and Al-Beshe as the visitors look for inspiration in attack.
Prediction
With a solid defensive record so far this season and a knack for attacking efficiently, Al Qadsiah is heavily favored to win this match and take the 3 points on offer against an out-of-form and low-confidence Al Fayha side.
