The stakes couldn't be higher as Al Shabab and Al Najma collide in a crucial showdown at the Al-Shabab Club Stadium on January 20, 2026. Sitting precariously in 14th place with only 11 points from 14 matches, Al Shabab has shown flashes of life recently, pulling off a vital win against NEOM. Meanwhile, Al Najma languishes at the bottom of the table with just two points, having yet to secure a victory this season. This match isn't just about pride; it's a battle for survival in the Pro League.
Predicted Lineups
Expect both teams to line up strategically based on their recent formations: Al Shabab: GK: Marcelo Grohe, DEF: Saad Yaslam Balobaid/Wesley Hoedt/Mohammed Al Shwirekh/Hussain Al-Sebyani, MID: Josh Brownhill/Vincent Sierro/Yannick Carrasco/Yacine Adli/Unai Hernández, FWD: Carlos Junior. Al Najma: GK: Victor Braga, DEF: Vitor Vargas/Samir Caetano/Nasser Al Haleel/Abdullah Al-Hawsawi, MID: Deybi Flores/Ali Jasim/David Tijanič/Rakan Al-Tulayhi/Bilal Boutobba, FWD: Lázaro.
For Al Shabab, recent performances suggest a formation of 4-2-3-1 is likely again. Their last outing saw them capitalize on key moments through stars like Yannick Carrasco, who netted twice against NEOM and has been instrumental throughout the season.
In contrast, Al Najma's struggles are highlighted by their inability to turn possession into results. In their most recent match against Al-Fateh, they controlled a staggering 64% of possession but only managed to draw 1-1-failing to convert their dominance into clear goal-scoring opportunities.
Both sides exhibit significant contrasting trajectories leading up to this clash. While Al Shabab may not dominate possession-averaging around 42% lately-they've showcased an improved attacking output by capitalizing on fewer chances (9 shots on goal vs. NEOM). Conversely, despite dominating possessions like against AL-Fateh or even maintaining competitive statistics against formidable opponents like Al-Ettifaq, it's shocking that they still haven't won-a clear indication of their finishing woes and tactical missteps under pressure.
Diving deeper into statistics from the past five matches reveals critical weaknesses for each side. For Al Shabab, while they've mustered two wins out of their last five fixtures-with one being particularly notable for its comeback spirit-their defensive frailties continue to rear their ugly head; they conceded more goals than they scored (8 goals against them in these games) and struggled significantly when challenged by high pressing from better teams like Al Taawon or even the resilient lineup of Al-Qadisiyah FC.
On the flip side lies an equally alarming statistic for Al Najma: they're consistently outshot by opponents (opponents averaged 17 total shots per game, while they managed only around 10). The lack of cutting edge upfront is compounded by inconsistency at the back; take note of Samir Caetano who must improve his defensive work after showing vulnerability under pressure this season (frequent turnovers leading to counter-attacks).
Let's look closely at individual performers-Yannick Carrasco has emerged as a beacon of hope for his team with four goals this season across all competitions. His ability to navigate tight spaces and provide critical assists could well be decisive here. He holds an average rating that suggests he isn't just turning up; he's affecting matches actively-a standout when everything else seems bleak.
Contrastingly for Najma's attack options like Lázaro-a player who recently broke free for two goals-is finally finding his stride in front of goal though needs support from players such as Bilal Boutobba if they're going to exploit any defensive gaps left by an increasingly frantic Shabab defense.
But let's put it simply: who wins key battles will determine outcome? Expect midfield control to be fought tooth-and-nail; should Deybi Flores establish himself early with quick ball movement alongside Ali Jasim pushing high-as seen before-then you might see problems arising for a shaky backline that often suffers lapses.
So where do I see this heading? It's hard not to favor momentum even slightly here; given that shocking form has seen one team barely escape losing every time while another finds self-belief anew after fighting back bravely in prior games leaves me expecting fireworks at both ends-but potentially tipping favorably toward home side experiences ringing true under pressing conditions if nothing else!
Prediction: I'm calling it now-Al Shabab edges out with a nail-biting 2-1 victory over Al Najma, relying heavily on pivotal contributions from Carrasco as well as defensive resolve finally rising against futile attempts from lacking visitors still seeking elusive first win! A tactical masterclass awaits but don't sleep on either team because anything can happen when stakes run sky-high!