Game preview: Abha vs. Al Fayha – Prediction, Team news, Lineups

Game: Abha Vs Al Fayha August 28th 2023. Time: 20:30Hrs. Location: Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, Abha.

In the latest round of Saudi Pro League action, Abha will face Al Fayha at the Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium on Monday evening.

The hosts are presently 11th in the table after three games, two points behind the seventh visitors.

Abha has had a mixed start to the season, winning one of their three games, but that triumph came at home, which should give them confidence heading into Monday’s encounter.

The Leaders of the South defeated Al Raed 1-0 earlier this month, with Omar Al Ruwaili scoring the game’s only goal in the second half, although they have struggled in their subsequent encounters.

Czeslaw Michniewicz’s side were heavily thrashed at home by Al Hilal on the first day of the season, with Malcom scoring a hat-trick for the visitors to secure a 3-1 win, and the manager may be even more concerned by his team’s performance in the most recent match.

Abha lost 1-0 against Al Taawon on Friday night, with only one shot on target in the entire game, dropping them to mid-table at this early point of the season.

Abha vs. Al Fayha: Teams till now

Michniewicz‘s team will face another tough test next, this time against a team they had only beaten once in nine previous meetings, in March 2020.

In recent times, Al Fayha has frequently gotten the better of their future opponents, and they have made a reasonably decent start to the season, winning one and drawing two of their first three games.

Despite finishing level on points with Abha last season, the Orange have looked considerably better this season, beginning with a 3-1 home victory over Al Khaleej on the opening day, scoring with all three shots on target.

Vuk Rasovic‘s team has not been as prolific in their previous two matches, both of which they drew, but they did very well to pick up a point away against a very good Al Hilal side, with Fashion Sakala scoring for the second game in a row.

The former Rangers man was unable to extend his goal streak last time out, but Al Fahya managed to go three games unbeaten, drawing 0-0 at home against Al Hazem in a dreary encounter with only two efforts on target.

Abha struggled in front of goal last time out, therefore Michniewicz may opt to start striker Al Ruwaili, with Fahad Jumayah likely falling to the bench.

The hosts’ lone other scorer this season is Saad Bguir, and the Tunisian is set to start in an advanced midfield role, just ahead of the experienced European duo of Uros Matic and Grzegorz Krychowiak.

Sakala, Al Fayha’s major attacking threat, already has two goals and one assist this season in the Saudi Pro League, and the Zambian is prepared to lead the line on his own.

Sultan Mandash and Ricardo have also scored this season, with the former set to start on the wing, but the latter has not played in the last two games and may do so again.

Abha’s possible starting lineup

Tatarusanu; Al Qumayzi, Nogeura, Al Sudani, Naji; Matic, Krychowiak, Jumayah, Bguir, Kamano; Jaber

Al Fayha’s possible starting lineup

Stojkovic; Al Baqawi, Al Rashidi, Al Khaibari, Al Shuwaish, Al Qaydhi; Mandash, Cimirot, Ruiz, Onyekuru; Sakala

Last season, Abha and Al Fayha were two of the most evenly matched sides in the Saudi Pro League, ending with identical points total.

As a result, we believe the spoils will be shared on Monday, with Al Fahya extending their unbeaten streak to four games.

UPDATE: Fulltime: Final Score Abha vs. Al Fayha

Saudi Pro League 2023-24: Abha vs. Al Fayha Final Score

Abha- 2 – 1 Al Fayha

Goals: Abha: Karl Toko Ekambi 36′ | Ahmed Abdu Jaber 63′

Goal: Al Fayha: Fashion Sakala 87′ (P)