Preview: Al-Fayha host Al Fateh in Al Majma'ah
Al-Fayha return to Al Majma'ah Sports City Stadium on 25 January looking to arrest a worrying slide as they welcome Al Fateh in this round 18 Pro League clash. The home side sit 13th after 16 matches, a team that has struggled to find consistency and bite in front of goal. Their recent results read like a cautionary tale: a heavy 4-1 reverse to Al Hilal on 22 January and a run of mixed draws and defeats have left them with just 14 points. Their defensive ledger — 31 goals conceded — underlines how porous they have been this season.
Al Fateh arrive in search of a response of their own. Occupying 10th spot with 21 points, they have swung between streaks of promise and sudden collapses. Their mid-January form showed an impressive string of wins earlier in the month, including victories over Al Riyadh and NEOM SC, but that momentum was dented by a 2-5 loss to Al Kholood on 20 January. Matías Vargas was the standout performer in that match despite the defeat, a reminder that Al Fateh can be dangerous going forward.
How the numbers set the stage
Statistics paint a picture of an encounter likely to be open. Al-Fayha have managed only 14 goals all season while allowing 31, a gap that suggests they will invite pressure at home. Al Fateh, by contrast, have produced 22 goals and display superior attacking figures across total shots (202) and shots on target (72). Both teams show an inclination toward higher-scoring affairs this campaign: the over 2.5 goals percentage is 56.25 for both, and recent scorelines from both sides feature pronounced goal hauls. The market reflects a competitive balance but slightly favors the hosts, with bookmakers pricing Al-Fayha at around 2.40 for the win while Al Fateh trade at 2.80 and the draw at 3.35.
This matchup also carries the echo of the season opener, where Al-Fayha won on the road 2-1 in August. Past meetings and current form suggest that while home advantage nudges the market toward Al-Fayha, the visitors possess the attacking quality to make this contest lively.
Context and tactical feel
Expect Al-Fayha to set up with caution but inevitably be drawn into offensive exchanges as they chase goals at home. Al Fateh will fancy themselves to exploit the gaps left in transition; their higher number of dangerous attacks and superior shooting volumes make them a threat on the break and from set-piece situations. Given the defensive fragilities shown by both sides across recent fixtures, this looks less like a tactical stalemate and more like a match where initiative and finishing will decide matters.
For readers wanting to refine goal-market timing, consult The right time to place bets on goal markets, while broader tactical and market selection guidance can be found in What does it mean the handicap market in sports betting?.
Betting suggestion: Over 2.5 goals (Goal market)
The clearest play from the available data is the goal market. A combination of Al-Fayha’s leaky defence (31 conceded), Al Fateh’s superior attacking metrics and recent high-scoring results on both sides points to at least three goals being likely. Back Over 2.5 goals for value in this fixture.
