Saudi Professional League Clash: Al-Ahli SFC's Offensive Prowess Faces Al-Fayha's Defensive Solidity in a Tactical Battle

Al-Ahli SFC's attack is primarily orchestrated by their foreign players, with a strong focus on transitioning from defence to attack. Their defensive efficiency, especially in intercepting and quickly forming a defensive line, is notable, with a rate of 0.82. The team's control in wide areas is a key strength, as over 45% of their threatening passes come from wide players cutting inside the penalty area. They also excel in set-piece situations, ranking high in aerial duels. However, Al-Ahli's second-half performance has been affected by fatigue, with a 20% increase in errors after the 60th minute when transitioning from defence to attack. The absence of a key midfielder due to a minor injury has caused gaps in the midfield, relying more on wingers for progress, leading to fluctuations in overall form. Al-Fayha has a well-established defensive transition system, with a 75% probability of making an effective interception within 5 seconds of losing possession. Their midfield's defensive capabilities are bolstered by the two defensive midfielders. They often rely on quick advances down the flanks to transition to attack, with wingers having a 38% success rate in dribbling, although the quality of subsequent crosses is poor, which affects the finishing. Their defensive strategy in key areas involves a tight defence inside the penalty area, with an average of 8.5 players concentrated in the defensive third, and a success rate of over 65% in aerial duels. Lately, Al-Fayha has been overly reliant on long passes during away games, resulting in a 22% error rate in cross-field transfers. The lack of creativity in midfield makes it difficult for them to penetrate dense defences through passing.