Al-Raed and Al-Shabab are set to clash this Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Buraidah for match week 22 of the Saudi Pro League.
Currently, Al-Raed sits precariously at 15th place, just above the relegation zone, after securing only five victories from 21 league games, accumulating 17 points. Their latest performance, a notable 3-1 win over Al-Riyadh, ended a nine-match winless streak, giving them hope moving forward.
Conversely, Al-Shabab is positioned sixth with 33 points from 21 matches, having won 10 games but currently struggling for consistency. They were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw against Al-Taawoun last week, prompting them to fight for points to maintain their push for the top four.
Historically, matches between these two sides have often been closely contested. Al-Shabab has emerged victorious 16 times against Al-Raed’s 10, with 12 encounters ending as draws. The visitors will be hoping to return to winning ways, having previously endured two games without victory.
This match is much more than just points; it could be pivotal for both clubs’ ambitions this season. While Al-Raed aims to climb away from the relegation battle, Al-Shabab sets its gaze on qualifying for the AFC Champions League, making the stakes incredibly high.
The upcoming match is significant for Al-Raed's player Amir Sayoud, who has been instrumental with six goals and five assists this season. His midfield control will be key as he embarks on leading his team to another victory.
Al-Shabab relies heavily on the experience of their Moroccan forward, Abderrazak Hamdallah, who is their top scorer with 13 goals from 16 appearances. His ability to find the back of the net will be pivotal as his team endeavors to garner all three points.
Match Details:
- Kick-off: February 25, 2025
- Location: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Buraidah
- Kick-off Time: 19:40 IST / 14:10 GMT / 09:10 ET / 06:10 PT
Both teams have their share of injury woes. Al-Raed will be without Mathias Normann due to suspension and Mohammed Fouzair due to injury, diminishing their attacking options. Al-Shabab also has injury concerns with players Seung-Gyu Kim, Fahad Al Muwallad, and Yannick Carrasco unavailable for selection.
The estimated lineups for the match are as follows:
Al-Raed: Meshary Sanyor (GK); Oumar González, Mehdi Abeid, Abdullah Hazazi; Salomon Tweh, Mohammed Al-Aqel, Zakaria Al-Hawsawi, Mohammed Al-Dawsari; Saleh Al-Amri, Yousri Bouzok, Karim El Barkaoui.
Al-Shabab: Georgiy Bushchan (GK); Wesley Hoedt, Robert Renan, Mohammed Al Shwirekh; Chino Guanca, Giacomo Bonaventura, Majed Kanabah, Glen Kamara; Musab Al-Juwayr, Abderazzak Hamdallah, Daniel Podence.
Given the position of both sides and respective forms, Al-Shabab appears to have the upper hand heading to the fixture. Predictions favor them as they look to reclaim victories and potentially rise up the league table. The final score may favor Al-Shabab, with many anticipating at least two goals from them.
Fans can follow the match on various platforms, including Sony LIV and fuboTV for international viewers.