Al Fayha and Al Hazem get the ball rolling in round 11 of the Saudi Pro League when they go head to head in a thrilling Christmas Day clash at the King Salman Sport City Stadium on Thursday. With their last league outing coming four weeks ago, both sides will be out to mark their return to action with a positive result as they look to enter the top half of the standings.
Here, Footballwhispers’ Al Fayha and Al Hazem prediction takes a look at the odds of both sides coming away with the desired result on Thursday.
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Al Fayha vs Al Hazem prediction: Goal galore on the cards in Majmaah
Key stats
- There have been at least three goals netted in four of Al Hazem’s last six matches, with a combined 21 goals scored across the six games.
- Al Hazem have failed to win their last five visits to the King Salman Sport City Stadium, losing twice and claiming three draws since a 2-1 victory in November 2016.
- Al Fayha have lost just two of their last nine Pro League home games, while picking up four wins and three draws since the start of April.
Correct score prediction: Al Fayha 3-1 Al Hazem
It has been a relatively slow start to the campaign for Al Fayha and Al Hazem, who have struggled for consistency, and they will be looking to break into the top half of the table here.
Al Fayha are on a solid run of results at the King Salman Sport City Stadium and we are backing them to make the most of their home advantage here to secure maximum points.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Al Fayha tipped for Christmas Day triumph
- HOME: 10/11 (1.91) – 52.4%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Al Fayha failed to secure consecutive wins for the first time since January last time out when they fell to a 3-2 loss against Al Ettifaq at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium on November 22.
After going three goals down through strikes from Moussa Dembele on either side of Georginio Wijnaldum’s 27th-minute effort, Ammar Al-Khaibari and Yassine Benzia hit back for Al Fayha in the second half, but Al Ettifaq held their own to see off a late comeback scare.
Al Fayha have failed to win four of their most recent five matches across all competitions, losing three and claiming one draw, with a 2-0 victory over Al Okhdood on November 7 being the exception.
However, Pedro Emanuel’s men now return home, where they have proven tough to crack this year, losing just three of their 15 matches, while picking up five wins and seven draws so far.
The bookmakers see Al Fayha extending this solid run at the King Salman Sport City Stadium on Christmas Day and are tipping them to come away with maximum points, priced at 11/20.
This indicated a 52.4% win probability, compared to Al Hazem’s 23.8% chance of securing all three points, while there is a 29.4% likelihood of the game ending all square.
Al Hazem head into Thursday’s clash in high spirits, having fought back from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Al Kholood at the Al Hazm Club Stadium last time out.
Ramiro Enrique struck in the third minute to give Al Kholood a dream start to the tie, but Elias Mokwa restored parity on the hour mark before Omar Al-Somah converted his 37th-minute penalty to turn the game on its head.
This was a much-needed result for Jalel Kadri’s men, who had failed to win their previous four matches, claiming one draw and losing three, including a 3-1 defeat against Al Qadsiah in the Saudi King’s Cup on October 28.
Al Hazem have won two of their nine Pro League matches while losing four and claiming three draws to collect nine points and sit 12th in the table, two points and two places behind Thursday’s hosts.
While we take a deeper look into both teams, you can take a peek at some of FootballWhispers’ best picks and predictions for the festive fixture in today’s free football betting tips.
Most recent H2Hs: Al Fayha hold a slight upper hand
Al Fayha boast a slightly superior record in this fixture across the last 10 meetings between the two teams, picking up four wins, one more than Al Hazem’s three victories.
Al Fayha are unbeaten in their last five home games against Kadri’s men, claiming two wins and three draws since a 2-1 defeat in the 1st Division back in November 2016.
Saudi Arabia Pro League 17/02/24
Al Hazm
Al Fayha
Al Fayha preview: Key duo ruled out
Al Fayha will have to cope without the services of experienced striker Fashion Sakala, who is currently away with Zambia at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
Twenty-six-year-old defender Makhir Al-Rashidi has been out of action since coming off injured against Al Khaleej on September 13 and will also play no part in Thursday’s tie.
Predicted lineup: Mosquera (GK), Al-Baqawi, Villanueva, Smalling, Bamsaud, Benzia, Semedo, Al-Harthi, Vrontis, Jason & Ganvoula
Last five games
- Al Etiffaq 3-2 Al Fayha
- Al Fayha 2-0 Al Okhdood
- Al Nassr 2-1 Al Fayha
- Al Fayha 1-2 Al Taawoun
- Al Fayha 1-1 Al Ittihad
Al Hazem preview: Mokwana set to miss out
Mokwana’s strike inspired Al Hazem’s comeback against Al Etiffaq last time out, but the 26-year-old is currently away with South Africa at the ongoing AFCON and will sit out Thursday’s game.
On the injury front, the visitors journey to the King Salman Sport City Stadium with a clean bill of health, giving Kadri the luxury of a full strength squad to select from.
Predicted lineup: Varela; Tunkar, Rosier, Boutouil; Al-Rashed, Martins, Al-Sayyali, Al-Dhuwayhi; Al-Nakhli; Al-Shammari, Al Somah
Last five games
- Al Kholood 1-2 Al Hazem
- Al Hazem 1-4 Al Khaleej
- Al Ettifaq 2-2 Al Hazem
- Al Qadsiah 3-1 Al Hazem
- Al Hazem 0-2 Al Nassr