Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens tomorrow evening, Friday, as Al-Taawoun hosts Al-Shabab at their home stadium in Buraidah in a highly anticipated and crucial match in the 14th round of the Saudi Professional League. This game carries particular significance given the contrasting ambitions and motivations of the two teams at this critical stage of the competition.
Al-Taawoun enters the match with their sights set on nothing less than three points, aiming to quickly regain their footing after their recent setback. The "Sugar Boys of Qassim" are enjoying an exceptional season, placing them among the elite, currently sitting third in the standings with 28 points. The team has achieved nine victories and one draw, while suffering only two defeats, the most recent being against Al-Ittihad. The home side seeks to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to remain in contention and challenge the top clubs, emphasizing that their presence in the top four is not a fluke but rather the result of consistent technical and administrative work.
On the other hand, Al-Shabab, one of the historical giants of Saudi football, is experiencing unprecedented and difficult circumstances that have placed the team in a precarious position. The "Leth" currently sits in 15th place with only 8 points, a position that puts them on the brink of relegation. They have only managed one victory, along with five draws and six defeats, the most recent being against Al-Fateh. This match represents a lifeline for the Riyadh-based team, who are hoping to secure their second win or at least a draw to stem the bleeding of points and appease their disgruntled fans.
Regarding absences and lineups, both teams face significant challenges. Al-Taawoun will be without their Gambian star Musa Barrow and Frenchman Romain Faivre due to injury, but they will rely on a squad of stars led by Brazilian Gerotto, goalkeeper Maëlson, Dutch maestro Achraf El Mahdaoui, Colombian Roger Martínez, and Frenchman Angelo Fulgini. Meanwhile, Al-Shabab will be missing their Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah and Ali Makki due to injury, but hopes are pinned on the experience of Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe, the skill of Belgian Yannick Carrasco, Frenchman Yacine Adli, and Englishman Josh Brownhill to guide the team to safety.
Historically, the statistics show a relatively close contest, with Al-Taawoun holding a slight edge in their Saudi Pro League encounters. The two teams have met 30 times previously, with Al-Taawoun winning 12 matches, Al-Shabab winning 10, and 8 ending in a draw. Al-Taawoun's attacking prowess is evident in their 47 goals against Al-Shabab, compared to Al-Shabab's 35, suggesting an open and potentially high-scoring match.
