Liam Duckstein
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Al-Riyadh sit at the bottom of the Saudi Pro League table with just one point from three games, having conceded eleven goals already this season. Neom SC, managed by Christophe Galtier, arrive in Riyadh with six points and a squad that has won five of their last six matches. The gap in form between these two sides is significant, and this fixture has the feel of a mismatch from the opening whistle.
Leandro Antunes has been one of Al-Riyadh’s brighter performers, contributing three goals and an assist across the last five matches, while Alexandre Lacazette leads the Neom SC attack with three goals and two assists in the same period, making him the key figure to watch for the visitors.
A hot stat worth noting: Neom SC have accumulated 12 corner kicks across their last five matches, compared to Al-Riyadh’s seven, which reflects Galtier’s side pushing hard into the final third and creating consistent pressure from wide areas.
| 🏆 Tournament: | Saudi Pro League 2026/27, Regular Season |
| 🏟 Venue: | Prince Turki bin Abdul Aziz Stadium, Riyadh |
| 🗓️ Date: | 28.08.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 17:50 CEST |
Al-Riyadh vs Neom SC Prediction
Neom SC are the clear pick here. They have won five of their last six games and carry genuine attacking quality with Lacazette, Saïd Benrahma, and Amadou Koné all contributing across recent fixtures. Al-Riyadh have been leaking goals at an alarming rate, shipping eleven in three league games this season, and their defensive structure has looked fragile even against mid-table opposition.
Al-Riyadh drew 3-3 with Al Shabab in their most recent match and lost 4-0 to Al Nassr before that. Their ability to score is not the issue, as Antunes and Mahmoud Trezeguet have shown moments of quality, but their defensive exposure makes it very difficult to back them at home against a team this confident.
Al-Riyadh commit a high volume of fouls, 47 across five matches, and have picked up two red cards in that stretch, which leaves them vulnerable to conceding in transition and from set pieces. Neom SC commit even more fouls at 53, but they are better organized in possession with a pass accuracy of 1,592 from 1,842 attempted passes, compared to Al-Riyadh’s 1,077 from 1,343. Galtier’s side controls games better and will likely dictate the tempo here.
We predict a Neom SC win, with both teams likely to find the net given Al-Riyadh’s attacking output even in defeat.
| 🔥 Hot Tip: | Neom SC to win and over 2.5 goals |
| ⚽ Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥 Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯 Total Corners: | Over 8.5 |
Team Analysis
Al-Riyadh have been inconsistent at best over recent weeks. Their last five matches include a win over lower-ranked Al Zulfi, a draw against Al-Gharafa, a draw with Al Shabab, and losses to Al Nassr and Al Ettifaq. Coach Maurício Dulac has seen his team ship goals in bunches, particularly against stronger opposition. The 3-3 draw with Al Shabab showed some attacking intent, but conceding three at home to a side that had been struggling does not inspire confidence.
Neom SC’s recent run has been impressive. They beat Al-Faisaly twice, 2-0 and 3-1, defeated Al-Fayha 2-1, and won a pre-season friendly against Las Palmas 1-0. Their only slip in six games was a 0-2 loss to Al Qadsiah, which came most recently. That defeat snapped a run of four straight wins, but it was against one of the stronger sides in the division. Before that result, Neom SC had looked sharp and well-drilled, and there is no reason to expect a significant dip in quality here against Al-Riyadh.
🚨 Check out our dedicated Al-Riyadh vs Neom SC stats page for more info.
Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: Neom SC the Favourite
- Moneyline Al-Riyadh 3.87 | Neom SC 1.81
- Draw 3.84
- Over/Under Over 2.5 — | Under 2.5 —
- BTTS (both teams to score) Yes — | No —
The bookmakers are firmly behind Neom SC, and the pricing at around 1.81 reflects their strong recent form and the clear quality gap between the two squads. Al-Riyadh at 3.87 is not a value play given their current defensive frailty and bottom-of-the-table standing. The draw at 3.84 is priced generously but does not align with the expected flow of this match. Neom SC at odds around 1.78 to 1.81 across major bookmakers represents a reasonable return for what looks like a comfortable away win on paper.
Possible Starting Lineups
Al-Riyadh Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Milan Borjan
- DF: Mohammed Al-Khaibari, Sultan Al-Essa, Sulaiman Hazazi, Rodrigo Abascal
- MF: Bernard Mensah, Fahad Mohammed Al-Jayzani, Faisal Ali Muslim Al Subhi, Victor Lekhal
- FW: Leandro Antunes, Mahmoud Trezeguet
Al-Riyadh look set to line up in their familiar 4-1-4-1 shape, though the data suggests a two-striker look is possible given the attacking output from Antunes and Trezeguet. Borjan has been the regular starter in goal with 16 saves across four matches. Bernard Mensah drives from midfield and has contributed a goal and two assists, making him the engine of the team. Trezeguet adds creativity from a deeper forward role and will look to link play between the lines. Sultan Al-Essa has the most interceptions among the outfield players and anchors the defensive line.
Neom SC Possible Starting Eleven
- GK: Marcin Bułka
- DF: Nathan Zeze, Malang Sarr, Islam Ahmed Hawsawi, Mohammed Al-Burayk
- MF: Amadou Koné, Abdulmalik Al-Oyayari, Georgios Masouras, Alaa Hejji
- FW: Alexandre Lacazette, Saïd Benrahma
Galtier will likely set up in a 4-4-2 as their recent matches suggest. Marcin Bułka starts in goal with 10 saves across four appearances. Nathan Zeze and Malang Sarr have been ever-present in defense, both playing every minute across four matches. Koné is the midfield anchor and has contributed a goal while putting in a high volume of passes. Lacazette and Benrahma form a dangerous front two, combining for five goals and three assists across their last five games. Benrahma’s ability to drift wide and cut inside adds an unpredictable element to Neom’s attack.
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Neom SC. Source: Official X/Twitter. Edited photo
TipsGG Match Prediction
Al-Riyadh are in poor shape. Three games into the new Saudi Pro League season, they sit last with one point and a goal difference of minus six. Their defensive record is the worst in the division, and they face a Neom SC side that has won five of their last six and carries genuine European-level talent up front in Lacazette and Benrahma.
Al-Riyadh do score goals, as their five across three league games shows, and Antunes and Trezeguet can cause problems on the counter. We predict both teams to score, but Neom SC to win comfortably. The visiting side’s superior ball retention, pressing structure under Galtier, and attacking depth make them a solid pick for a win and over 2.5 goals in this fixture.
We predict: Neom SC Win, Both Teams to Score, Over 2.5 Goals.
