- Team form: Al Faisaly Harmah have lost 4 consecutive games, including their last 2 at home.
- Recent form: Neom SC have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 5 games in all competitions.
Neom SC should edge an important early-season match
Neom SC come into the game as 1.78 favorites to beat Al Faisaly Harmah on Friday, but the Burgundy are 4.0 and the draw is 4.2, which is a little strange given Neom SC have better form and the hosts have lost their last 2 at this venue.
Neom SC's last 3 games resulted in a 2-0 loss to Al Hilal Riyadh in the Profesional League 2025/2026, a 1-1 home draw with Al-Ettifaq Dammam in the same league and a 2-1 win over Al Feiha in the first round of the Profesional League 2026/2027.
Al Faisaly's last 2 fixtures have been a 0-4 home defeat to Al Taawon Buraidah in the King's Cup 2025/2026 and a 4-2 away loss to Al Hilal Riyadh in the opening round of the new Profesional League season.
Al-Faisaly have the ability to be a problem
Standings and tactics
Al Faisaly Harmah sit 16th, with 0 points from 1 game, and Neom SC are 6th with 3 points after 1 game in the new season. Christophe Galtier has been Neom SC's head coach since 1 July 2025 and his side look well-drilled, able to play with either a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 structure.
The Burgundy, under Giovanni Solinas, have a compact setup in a 4-2-3-1 that is based more on organization, shape and quick transitions than high press.
Key players
- Al Faisaly Harmah can be a threat on their day with Alexandre Mendy leading the line, but the experienced striker has just 1 goal in 1 match in the 2026/2027 season, whereas Christian Bassogog has already provided 1 assist and Lucas Souza has 3 of Al Faisaly Harmah's 6 goals across the last 5 fixtures.
- Amadou Kone is the only player to have registered a goal in the league for Neom SC this term (1 goal in 1) while Alexandre Lacazette has provided 1 assist and Said Benrahma has 4 of the team's 7 goals over the last 5 matches.
Galtier will get this team to dominate midfield
Backing Neom SC to win outright may be the best play in this fixture, but the odds are a little short and there is every chance the visitors will take a while to break down their opponents. So the alternative angle of Neom SC to take the win with under 3.5 total goals seems a good way to play the game, as it fits the away side's edge in ability and the tight tactical setup of the match.
Al Faisaly Harmah will look to stay compact and counter attack, while Neom SC will try to press and try to break the hosts down in transition.
