Al-Shabab vs. Damac: Saudi Pro League Match Preview

The 23rd round of the Saudi Arabian Championship features an exciting encounter in Riyadh, where Al-Shabab will host Damac. This match presents an opportunity for a well-calculated bet with promising odds.

Match Preview

Al-Shabab has been out of the title race for some time but continues to secure a place in the upper half of the standings, proving its reputation as a strong mid-table team in the Saudi Pro League. The team remains a formidable opponent for both title contenders and lower-ranked sides. Currently, under the guidance of Fatih Terim, Al-Shabab occupies sixth place, trailing the top five by an eight-point margin.

A notable aspect of Al-Shabab’s season is their consistent performance against teams from the lower half of the table. Their recent home matches have resulted in three consecutive victories against Al-Riyadh (2-1), Al-Fayha (2-1), and Al-Khaleej (5-1). However, they suffered a narrow defeat against Al-Qadisiyah (2-3) in a crucial fixture. In their latest league outing, Al-Shabab secured a 2-1 away victory over Al-Raed.

Damac also maintains its status as a reliable mid-table team in the Saudi Pro League, currently sitting in 12th place. The team enjoys a comfortable seven-point cushion above the relegation zone, reducing any immediate survival concerns. Furthermore, with only four points separating them from the top 10, a few positive results could see them climb higher in the standings.

In their most recent match, Damac endured a home defeat to Al-Orouba (1-2), followed by a 0-2 loss against league heavyweight Al-Ahli. These setbacks ended a six-match unbeaten streak, during which Santo Almeida’s squad demonstrated resilience with three consecutive draws against Al-Khaleej (1-1), Al-Hilal (2-2), and Al-Akhdood (0-0).

Probable Lineups

Al-Shabab: Kim – Al-Thani, Al-Sharari, Khudt, Robert Renan, Al-Sibiani – Guanca, Kanaba, Al-Juwaire – Camara, Hamdallah
Damac: Nitz – Al-Anazi, Bedrane, Chafai, Al-Khaibari, Al-Rashidi – Kamano, Al-Subiani, Stanciu, Al-Ghamdi – Diallo

Key Match Facts and Head-to-Head Statistics

• In their previous encounter this season, Damac secured a 1-0 home victory over Al-Shabab.
• The “Under 2.5 Goals” bet has been successful in their last three meetings.
• The “Both Teams to Score” bet has won in three of their last five matchups.

Prediction

Bookmakers favor the home side in this clash, with odds of 1.66 for an Al-Shabab victory. Given their strong performances against lower-ranked teams and their recent home form, Al-Shabab is well-positioned to claim all three points.

Prediction: Al-Shabab to Win
Odds: 1.66