Al-Taawoun vs Al Riyadh – News and Probable Lineups

This Friday evening, Al Taawoun will face Al Riyadh in a Saudi Pro League matchday 33 encounter at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, featuring two teams positioned at opposite ends of the league table.

While Al Taawoun aims for a spot in the top five during the closing weeks of the season, their opponents find themselves in dire need of points to maintain their place in the top tier.

Match overview

Currently positioned sixth with 52 points, tied with Al Ittihad who have a game in hand, Al Taawoun will be optimistic about their chances of advancing to fifth place with only two matches left to play in the season.

Pericles Chamusca’s team approaches Friday’s fixture following a 2-1 loss at home against third-placed Al Ahli on Monday, in which Ivan Toney and Roger Ibanez both scored for the visitors before Angelo Fulgini managed to score a consolation for Al Taawoun.

Playing their second consecutive home match, Al Taawoun will be keen to return to winning form, having lost three of their last five league encounters, though their recent home performances do not inspire much optimism.

This season, Chamusca’s team has secured 25 points at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, achieving seven victories, four draws, and five defeats, while conceding 23 goals at home, which is more than the 20 they have allowed in away fixtures.

Additionally, Al Taawoun has not emerged victorious in six of their last seven league games on home turf, further raising concerns about their ability to perform well in front of their fans.

Nevertheless, the prospect of climbing above Al Ittihad into fifth place should serve as a source of motivation, and Chamusca will recognize that winning both of their remaining matches could lead to a strong finish to the season.

On the other hand, Al Riyadh is presently in 16th place, entrenched in a relegation battle, aware that only wins in their remaining two matches are likely to ensure their survival in the Saudi Pro League.

A recent 1-0 victory against Al Fateh, thanks to a goal from Mamadou Sylla, provided a much-needed boost to their confidence, marking only their second win from the last five matches and their sixth overall for the league season.

Mauricio Dulac’s squad has logged two wins, no draws, and three defeats in their last five matches, and remarkably, they have yet to secure back-to-back league victories this season.

Their away form is equally concerning, with just two wins, three draws, and eleven defeats recorded during their travels this season, amounting to a mere nine points.

A victory on Friday would lift Al Riyadh to 29 points, potentially pulling them out of the relegation zone, provided Damac does not win their match. Both teams are currently level on 26 points, differing only in goal difference—Damac sits at -23, while Al Riyadh stands at -29.

The most recent clash between these two teams resulted in a 3-1 win for Al Taawoun, and over their last five encounters, the hosts have claimed two victories, Al Riyadh has won two matches, and one confrontation ended in a draw.

Team News

Al Taawoun will be banking on forward Roger Martinez, who has scored 22 goals this season, to spearhead their attack as they seek to climb the league table during the latter stages of the season.

Midfielder Angelo Fulgini, who found the net against Al Ahli on Monday, will also play a crucial role in the hosts’ offensive setup, alongside Mohammed Al Kuwaykibi.

In defence, Andrei Girotto, Qassem Lajami, and Mohammed Al Dossari are expected to feature, providing Chamusca with a stable backline to work with.

Aschraf El Mahdioui is likely to take a spot in midfield, with Flavio Silva also anticipated to contribute in the centre of the pitch as the hosts aim to exert control over the game’s tempo.

Al Riyadh will heavily rely on Mamadou Sylla’s goals, who has tallied ten this season, and the creativity of Toze, who has scored eight times from midfield.

Goalkeeper Milan Borjan is expected to start, joined by Marzouq Tambakti and Yoann Barbet in central defence, while Victor Lekhal, Ahmed Al Siyahi, and Leandro Antunes are poised to provide support in midfield.

Al-Taawoun probable starting XI:

Maylson; Petkov, Al Dossari, Lajami, Girotto, Mahzari; Fulgini, El Mahdioui, Silva, Al Kuwaykibi; Martinez

Al Riyadh probable starting XI:

Borjan; Hazazi, Barbet, Tambakti, Sergio; Antunes, Al Siyahi, Lekhal, Toze; Sylla, Okou

With only two away victories all season and no back-to-back league wins, Al Riyadh seem unlikely to secure points from this match.

The hosts possess the necessary quality to overcome a struggling opponent, making a narrow win for them the most probable outcome.