**Al-Kholood rolls in hot, but Al-Shabab's got nothing to lose** — the visitors are winless in five and desperate to shake the curse. 🔥

Al-Kholood are the form side here, unbeaten in their last five with back-to-back wins sandwiching a couple of draws. Al-Shabab, meanwhile, are struggling — three draws and two losses in their last five, including a beating from Al-Hilal. Head-to-head is even at 2-2 over the last four, but momentum's all Al-Kholood.

Key storylines:

- **Al-Kholood's midfield engine** — J. Buckley and S. Cisse will need to control tempo against Al-Shabab's J. Brownhill and Y. Carrasco
- **Al-Shabab's attacking threat on the counter** — R. Martínez and A. Al Asmari are dangerous but inconsistent; missing M. E. Harbush (Cruciate Ligament Injury) hurts their defensive depth
- **Home advantage at Al-Hazem** — Al-Kholood will be the away side but facing a struggling Al-Shabab in transition

Expected lineups:

- **Al-Kholood**: H. Al-Shanqity, S. Pinas, E. Utkus, M. Camara, J. Buckley, S. Cisse, C. Da Costa, J. Domingues
- **Al-Shabab**: M. Al-Mahasneh, H. Alsebyani, M. Barry, Y. Carrasco, J. Brownhill, R. Martínez, A. Al Asmari

Prediction:

**Al-Kholood 2-1 Al-Shabab** — slight lean to the in-form side; Al-Shabab will scrape one but can't break through.