Al Raed vs Al Shabab Predictions

Al Raed will host Al Shabab at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium on February 25, 2025, in a critical Saudi Pro League matchup as Round 22 brings together two teams with contrasting fortunes. Al Raed, under Stjepan Tomas, are projected to sit 15th with around 17 points from 21 matches as of February 24, 2025, following a 2-1 win over Al Riyadh (Feb 15, 2025), desperately needing points to escape the relegation zone. Al Shabab, managed by Vítor Pereira, are expected to be 6th with approximately 29 points, coming off a 2-0 loss to Damac (Feb 15, 2025), aiming to regain consistency and climb toward the top four. Our expert prediction explores team form, key players, head-to-head stats, and betting tips to answer: Who will win Al Raed vs Al Shabab in this Saudi Pro League clash?

Team Form & Recent Performances

Al Raed

• 2024/25 Record (Projected as of Feb 24): 5W, 2D, 14L (17 points, 15th in Saudi Pro League)

• Latest Result: 2-1 win vs. Al Riyadh (Feb 15, 2025)

• Home Form: 3W, 1D, 6L (14 goals scored, 16 conceded)
  Al Raed have had a challenging season, with their recent 2-1 victory over Al Riyadh snapping a nine-game winless streak (0W, 2D, 7L), offering a glimmer of hope in their relegation fight. As of February 24, 2025, they’re projected at 17 points from 21 matches, with Amir Sayoud’s brace against Al Riyadh highlighting their attacking potential. At home, they’ve averaged 1.40 goals per game and conceded 1.60, showing resilience but struggling defensively against stronger opposition.

Al Shabab

• 2024/25 Record (Projected as of Feb 24): 9W, 2D, 10L (29 points, 6th in Saudi Pro League)

• Latest Result: 2-0 loss vs. Damac (Feb 15, 2025)

• Away Form: 4W, 1D, 5L (13 goals scored, 15 conceded)
  Al Shabab have been inconsistent, projected at 29 points from 21 matches as of February 24, 2025. Their recent 2-0 defeat to Damac ended a three-game unbeaten run (2W, 1D), with defensive lapses overshadowing a 3-1 win over Al Kholood (Feb 8, 2025). On the road, they’ve averaged 1.30 goals per game and conceded 1.50, reflecting a balanced but faltering attack led by Wesley Teixeira (5 goals entering 2025), hampered by injuries to key players.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

• Overall Record: Al Shabab 11W, Al Raed 10W, 10D (31 meetings since 2008)

• Recent Meetings:

  • Sep 29, 2024: Al Shabab 2-1 Al Raed (Pro League)

  • May 4, 2024: Al Shabab 2-0 Al Raed (Pro League)

  • Nov 9, 2023: Al Raed 2-1 Al Shabab (Pro League)

• Key Trend: Al Shabab have won 3 of the last 5 meetings; 3 of their last 5 H2Hs exceeded 2.5 goals.
  Al Shabab have edged recent encounters, including a 2-1 victory in September 2024 at King Fahd Stadium, with Wesley Teixeira and Nawaf Al-Abed scoring to overturn Al Raed’s early lead. Matches have averaged 2.6 goals per game in their last five meetings, with Al Raed’s last home win over Al Shabab (2-1, Nov 2023) showing their potential to upset, though Shabab’s recent dominance adds pressure.

Key Players to Watch

Al Raed

• Amir Sayoud (MID): 6 goals, 5 assists in 2024/25; Al Raed’s top scorer and playmaker.

• Karim El Berkaoui (FWD): 5 goals; key finisher in attack.

• Paulo Vítor (GK): 4 clean sheets; vital despite defensive struggles.

Al Shabab

• Wesley Teixeira (FWD): 5 goals in 2024/25; Shabab’s leading scorer and aerial threat.

• Nawaf Al-Abed (MID): 4 goals, 3 assists; creative spark in midfield.

• Mustafa Malayekah (GK): 5 clean sheets; anchors a shaky backline.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

Al Raed’s counterattacking 4-2-3-1 (1.24 goals per game) will challenge Al Shabab’s possession-based 4-3-3 (1.38 goals per game). Sayoud’s flair and El Berkaoui’s finishing could exploit Shabab’s inconsistent defense (1.33 goals conceded per game), which struggled in their last outing. Al Shabab’s attacking style relies on Teixeira’s power and Al-Abed’s vision, testing Al Raed’s backline (1.62 goals conceded per game), though their recent loss suggests vulnerabilities. Al Raed’s Mathias Normann (suspended) and Al Shabab’s Yannick Carrasco (out, injury) may affect lineups, with Al Raed’s 15,000-strong King Abdullah Sport City crowd pushing for a vital win.

Prediction: Al Raed vs Al Shabab

Our Prediction: Total Goal - Over 2.5