The stage is set for a classic clash in the Pro League as NEOM and Al-Fateh prepare to square off at the King Khalid Sports City on January 10, 2026. This isn't just another mid-table battle; it's a critical face-off between two teams with distinctly different trajectories this season. With NEOM currently sitting pretty at seventh place with 20 points, they're looking to solidify their standing against a desperate Al-Fateh squad languishing in tenth with just 14 points. Both sides desperately need three points here, but only one can leave satisfied.
Let's dive into what makes this matchup so tantalizing.
Predicted Lineups
For NEOM, expect a typical 4-4-2 formation:
- GK: Luís Maximiano,
- DEF: Faris Abdi, Nathan Zeze, Ahmed Hegazy, Khalifah Al-Dawsari,
- MID: Saïd Benrahma, Amadou Koné, Luciano Rodríguez, Ali Al Asmari,
- FWD: Alexandre Lacazette, Ala'a Al-Hejji.
Al-Fateh will likely opt for their preferred 3-4-2-1 formation:
- GK: Fernando Pacheco,
- DEF: Marwane Saadane, Jorge Fernandes, Ziyad Al Jari,
- MID: Wesley Delgado, Naif Masoud, Abdulaziz Al Fawaz,
- FWD: Sofiane Bendebka (who's been fantastic), Matías Vargas (a true menace), Mourad Batna.
Now that we've set the scene with our expected lineups let's break down how each team is faring lately.
NEOM: Trending Upward?
NEOM comes into this game on a high note after their recent 2-1 win over Al-Hazm-a match where they showcased an intriguing mix of grit and flair. Despite being outshot 12 to 10 in total attempts and losing possession slightly (47% vs. 53%), they found ways to score when it mattered most. Alexandre Lacazette, who netted one of the goals that day, has become the linchpin in attack. With four goals in just eight appearances this season and an average rating above 7-this guy's hot like lava right now!
However, defensive lapses have plagued them; they conceded three goals to Al-Ittihad just days before that win and allowed way too many shots (14) against them-suggesting some cracks in the backline that could be exploited by a sharper attacking team like Al-Fateh.
Al-Fateh: Rebuilding Momentum
On the flip side, Al-Fateh is surging from their last two games which included consecutive victories-a breath of fresh air amid previous struggles. Their recent outing saw them take down Al Shabab with ease thanks to early heroics from Sofiane Bendebka, who scored quickly within the first eleven minutes and assisted another goal in what became a dominant display overall (13 shots compared to only 11 from their opponents). They've managed three wins out of their last five matches-pretty decent when you consider how lowly they've started the season.
But don't let those W's fool you entirely; they still have issues stemming from disciplinary lapses that lead them toward more fouls per game than they'd ideally want-overlapping potential trouble against NEOM's speedy attackers who can capitalize on set pieces or counters.
Key Tactical Showdowns
Let's talk numbers and trends because we all know that's where stories lie! Looking into ball possession stats shows both squads flirted around similar marks recently but have distinctly different strengths. NEOM tends to invite pressure while holding about 48% average possession over their last five outings; contrastingly, they often rely heavily on counterattacks which make every chance even more precious for their strikers like Lacazette and Benrahma.
Al-Fateh likes keeping hold of the ball more robustly; they've averaged close to 54% possession lately-meaning if they're firing on all cylinders? They might dictate play effectively which could corner NEOM into defending more than creating chances themselves. If they continue this trend against NEOM's shaky defense? We might see them create numerous goal-scoring opportunities-especially given that they've managed significantly higher accurate passing percentages recently.
A key element will be whether NEOM can stifle those attacks before they materialize since they've shown vulnerability when pinned back-most notably suffering through lapses leading up to high-shooting games where defenses should theoretically tighten up! A player like Matías Vargas from Al-Fateh could wreak havoc against potentially lethargic legs from defenders if he finds space between the lines regularly throughout Sunday's contest.
Hot Take Prediction
As it stands heading into this matchup-and acknowledging current form-I see both teams feeling each other out initially but ultimately favoring NEOM narrowly based on pure star power upfront coupled with greater motivation given their current position relative to promotion aspirations.
Thus I'm calling for a hard-fought yet tight victory for NEOM at home by a scoreline of 2-1. Look for Lacazette getting one perhaps alongside maybe Benrahma popping up late-the types who thrive under pressure need opportunities early on before fatigue sets in amongst either side!
In sum: This isn't just about league positions-it's about narratives unfolding before us every time these players hit the pitch. And boy am I excited for Sunday!