Raphael Durand
Dailysports's expert
The match of the 33rd round of the Saudi Pro League between Damak and Al-Fateh will take place on Thursday at the Damak Club Stadium in Khamis Mushait. Here’s a betting tip on the outcome of this clash with excellent odds.
Match preview
Damak approaches the 33rd round of the Saudi Pro League with inconsistent form and uncertain prospects. With 9 wins, 8 draws, and 15 defeats, their tally of 48 goals conceded clearly highlights their defensive frailties. Their most recent outing ended in a goalless draw against Al-Ettifaq, further underlining their struggles to convert scoring chances.
Khaled Al-Atwi's side tends to play a cautious game, focusing on controlling space and building from the back. However, a lack of consistent results and inefficiency in attack have prevented the team from settling in the middle of the table. Currently, they sit 12th with 35 points, five points clear of the relegation zone. Damak have been somewhat steadier at home, but still lack a winning streak — 6 victories offset by 6 defeats on their own turf.
Al-Fateh are fighting for survival amid a string of highly inconsistent performances. They have the same number of wins as Damak (9), but have lost two more games — 17 in total — and conceded 11 more goals (59). Their last match against Al-Hilal was a high-scoring affair but ended in a 3-4 defeat, once again exposing their defensive issues.
José Manuel Gomes favors an attacking approach, which yields results up front (43 goals scored), but leaves the back line exposed. On the road, Al-Fateh have lost 10 of their 16 matches, raising serious doubts ahead of their trip to Damak.
Probable lineups
- Damak: Nitse F., Al-Hawsawi S., Shafai F., Bedrane A., Al-Anazi D., Stanciu N., Hamed T., Al-Subiani F., Kamano F., Al-Nemer M., N'Koudou J.
- Al-Fateh: Al-Aqeedi N., Al-Julaidan A., Fernandes J., Saadan M., Al-Dohaim A., Youssouf Z., Qasim H., Batna M., Bendebka S., Sbai A., Vargas M.
Match facts and head-to-head
- In the first meeting this season, Al-Fateh won 2-1
- The "Total Over 2.5" bet has landed in three of the last five encounters
- The "Both teams to score" bet has hit in each of the last five matches
Prediction
Both sides have displayed similar trends: inconsistency, leaky defenses, and reliance on their top performers’ current form. Still, Al-Fateh look a touch sharper in attack and, despite their poor away record, have a genuine shot at three points. Our pick: "Both teams to score" at odds of 1.57.
