Al Fayha and Al Khaleej will be aiming to kick off the 2023 Saudi Pro League season with three points when they lock horns at AL Majma'ah Sports City on Saturday.
Having both enjoyed impressive pre-season campaigns, the teams will head into this weekend's contest with the wind in their respective sails.
Match preview
Al Fayha draw the curtain on their warm-up round of fixtures with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Al Rayyan at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium on July 25.
Following a drab opening 45 minutes, second-half strikes from Anthony Nwakaeme, Ricardo and Mohammed Majrashi put Vuk Rasovic's men in cruise control before Rodrigo grabbed a late consolation in stoppage time.
As a result, the Mills of Sudair have now gone three games without defeat and are unbeaten in all but one of their last seven outings across all competitions.
Next on the menu is the challenge of an opposing outfit who boast just one victory from the previous five encounters involving the teams.
However, that solitary win did come in the most recent clash back in April when Saturday's hosts were on the receiving end of a 3-0 thrashing.
Al Khaleej had too much for Umm-Salal as they cruised to a 3-1 win when the sides went toe to toe at Suheim bin Hamad Stadium on Thursday.
Pedro Emanuel's men went into the break with a 2-0 advantage thanks to strikes from Fabio Martins and Lisandro Lopez after which Khaled Al Sumairi put the final nail in the coffin.
That was a third consecutive triumph for the Sahiat-based side, who have also found the back of the net nine times across those three matches.
Having avoided defeat in each of their last six matches away from home, Saturday's visitors have proven themselves to be a real force to reckon with on the road.
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- W
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Team News
Al Khaleej's Fabio Martins was named man of the match in the most recent edition of Saturday's fixture, and the forward is one to keep an eye on.
Mohammed Al Khabrani received his marching orders in May's Pro League finale, meaning that he is ineligible to feature for the away side here.
Anthony Nwakaeme led Al Fayha in scoring in his debut campaign, and the Nigerian will be heavily relied upon once again to deliver the goods in attack.
Fashion Sakala recently arrived from Rangers on Monday, but it remains to be seen if the 26-year-old will be deemed ready to participate for the home team.
Al Fayha possible starting lineup:
Stojkovic; Al Baqawi, Al Shuwaish, Al Khaibari, Al-Qaydhi; Ricardo, Al Safari, Zidan; Ruiz, Nwakaeme, Majrashi
Al Khaleej possible starting lineup:
Al Haidari; Al Hamsal, Amaral, Al-Oudah, Anthony; Poko, Al Majhad, Jung; Rodrigues, Martins, Al Salem
We say: Al Fayha 0-1 Al Khaleej
Al Khaleej are on a better run of results heading into this one and will back themselves to get the job done. We are tipping the away side to narrowly edge out their hosts and carry the day come the sound of the final whistle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
