**Diriyah host Neom in a battle of mid-table inconsistency**, where recent form swings suggest this could go either way. 🏟️ Both teams are treading water — one win in their last five apiece won't cut it at this level.

Diriyah are the slighter favorites at home but without **A. Al-Malki** (suspended), their defensive steel is compromised. Neom showed real bounce-back credentials with a 2-0 win over Abha but got exposed by **Al-Nassr** and **Al-Ettifaq**, so consistency remains the killer issue.

Key storylines:

- **Diriyah's backline** needs to tighten up after conceding two at Al-Ittihad; **C. Mbemba** and **B. Djimsiti** are do-or-die this week
- **Neom's attack** — **A. Lacazette** has the pedigree to punish sloppy defending, and **M. A. Taha** can drift and create chaos
- Home field momentum vs. visiting confidence: Diriyah won at home vs Al-Riyadh; Neom just beat Abha, so neither side looks broken

Expected lineups:

- **Diriyah**: N. Vasilj, H. Alsebyani, C. Mbemba, B. Djimsiti, A. Al-Faraj, E. Millot, I. Gueye, C. Diandy, D. Núñez
- **Neom SC**: M. Bułka, M. Sarr, N. Zeze, A. Al Oyayari, G. Masouras, A. Kone, A. Lacazette, K. Al-Absi

Prediction:

**1-1 draw** — slight edge to Diriyah's home advantage, but both teams feel too fragile to push for a clean win. 🤝