Form and Line-up of Al Fayha
Pedro Emanuel's team are having a poor season and sit only 10th in the table. The main problem for Al Fayha is the defence: it concedes an average of 1.6 goals per match and regularly collapses against opponents from the top half of the table (a 1:4 defeat to Al Hilal Saudi in the first half of the season). Current form is also a concern. In their last seven matches the team have recorded only one victory, and in the previous round they were comfortably beaten by Damac (0:3). Even at home the hosts look weak, with only two wins in their last six matches on their own pitch.
Key numbers for Al Fayha:
Al Fayha have received 51 yellow cards this season, with fewer only for Al Hilal Saudi (48).
The club have lost to Al Hilal Saudi in four head-to-head matches in a row with an aggregate score of 1:11.
Al Fayha have scored in 10 home matches in a row.
Probable line-up (5-3-2): Orlando Mosquera — Sabri Abdu Dahal, Mohammed Al-Bakawi, Chris Smalling, Moher Al-Rashidi, Ahmed Bamsaud — Yassine Benzia, Rakan Kaabi, Alpha Semedo — Jason, Abdulla Radif.
Absentees: —.
Form and Line-up of Al Hilal Saudi
Simone Inzaghi's team are having an outstanding season and have still not suffered a single defeat in the league. After 33 rounds Al Hilal Saudi have 24 wins, nine draws and a goal difference of 84:27 — the league's second-best attack and defence. In attack everything is built around Karim Benzema, who has settled in well and has already produced 9+2 in the league for his new club. Marcos Leonardo is also shining again, having scored 13 goals. In goal Yassine Bounou is in command, with 13 clean sheets in the Saudi Pro League (the third-best tally).
Key numbers for Al Hilal Saudi:
Al Hilal Saudi take an average of 6.5 corners per game (the third-best figure).
In five away matches in a row Inzaghi's team have won the second half.
In 15 of the previous 17 head-to-head meetings between Al Fayha and Al Hilal Saudi fewer than four goals were scored.
Probable line-up (4-4-2): Yassine Bounou — Moteb Al-Harbi, Ruben Neves, Hassan Al-Tambakti, Theo Hernandez — Sultan Mandash, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Mohammed Kanno, Nasser Al-Dawsari — Malcom, Marcos Leonardo.
Absentees: Kalidou Koulibaly, Hamad Al-Yami (both injured), Darwin Nunez, Pablo Mari (both suspended).
