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Saudi Pro League | Gameweek 32
May 18, 2024 at 5.20pm UK
Mohammed Bin Saud Al-Qasimi Stadium

Al-Taawoun
1 - 0
Al Shabab

Pedro (52' pen.)
Al-Ahmad (24')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Rakitic (64')

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

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

Aiming to pick up a first win in three outings, Al-Taawoun will do battle against Al Shabab at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Saturday.

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's Carlos celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on February 25, 2024© Reuters

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 in 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:

Al Shabab Saudi Pro League form:


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


SM words green background

We say: Al-Taawoun 1-1 Al Shabab

Al Shabab are the more in-form side coming into this one and will be seeking to exploit Al-Taawoun's home struggles. We are backing a stalemate with honours even at the sound of the final whistle.


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




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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CAl-HilalAl-Hilal343130101237896
2Al-Nassr342644100425882
3Al-AhliAl-Ahli34198767353265
4Al-TaawounAl-Taawoun341611751351659
5Al Ittihad34166126354954
6Al Ettifaq341212104334948
7Al Fateh34129135755245
8Al ShababAl Shabab34128144542344
9Al Fayha341111124452-844
10Damac341011134445-141
11Al RaedAl Raed34910154149-837
12Al Khaleej34910153647-1137
13Al WahdaAl Wahda34106184560-1536
14Al Riyadh34811153357-2435
15Al Okhdood3496193352-1933
RAbha3495203887-4932
RAl Tai3487193464-3031
RAl Hazem34412183476-4224


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