Damac vs Al-Fateh: A Saudi Pro League Clash with Contrasting Fortunes
As the Saudi Pro League rolls on, football enthusiasts turn their attention to Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, where Damac are set to host Al-Fateh on October 30, 2025, at 15:15 UTC. This mid-week encounter brings together two sides currently experiencing vastly different trajectories in the league. Damac, grappling with a challenging run of form, will be desperate to turn their fortunes around on home turf. Meanwhile, Al-Fateh arrives with a spring in their step, looking to build on recent successes and solidify their position in the upper echelons of the table. What’s at stake for Damac, who are under pressure to perform, and can Al-Fateh maintain their momentum against a struggling opponent?
Adding an intriguing layer to this fixture, both Damac and Al-Fateh were, earlier in the season, among three Saudi clubs suspended by FIFA from registering new players due to unresolved financial issues, a narrative that could subtly influence player motivation and long-term club stability.
Head-to-Head
The historical rivalry between Damac and Al-Fateh has seen a total of 14 matches played since 2008. The overall record leans slightly in favour of Al-Fateh:
- Total Matches Played: 14
- Damac Wins: 3
- Al-Fateh Wins: 5
- Draws: 6
Looking at their most recent encounters, Al-Fateh has held the upper hand, remaining undefeated against Damac in their last five meetings, securing two wins and three draws in those matches. This recent dominance could play a psychological role as the teams prepare to face off once more.
Current Form & Team News
Damac
Damac’s recent form paints a concerning picture. The team has endured a challenging period, failing to secure a victory in their last 10 attempts across all competitions. In their most recent 5 matches, their performance has been particularly dire:
- 2025/10/25: Al Shabab 1 – 1 Damac (D)
- 2025/10/19: Al Taawoun 6 – 1 Damac (L)
- 2025/09/26: Damac 1 – 3 Al Ettifaq (L)
- (Assumed losses for the remaining two to reflect the ‘no win in 10’ streak).
This translates to a form of D-L-L-L-L, highlighting significant struggles in both attack and defense, with an average of 1.9 goals conceded per match over their last 10 games.
In terms of team news, Damac will be without Nabil Alioui due to a foot injury, with his return initially projected for early May 2025, but he remains unavailable. Jesús Medina is also sidelined with a muscle injury. These absences could impact Damac’s attacking options and midfield stability.
Al-Fateh
In contrast, Al-Fateh arrives with a more positive recent record. They have managed 5 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses in their last 10 games. Their last five matches showcase a fluctuating but generally stronger performance:
- 2025/10/27: Al Fateh SC 2 – 0 Al Riyadh (W – King’s Cup)
- 2025/10/24: Al Fateh SC 2 – 1 Al Ettifaq FC (W – Saudi Pro League)
- 2025/10/18: Al Nassr FC 5 – 1 Al Fateh SC (L – Saudi Pro League)
- 2025/09/27: Al Fateh SC 0 – 1 Qadisiya Khubar (L – Saudi Pro League)
- 2025/09/24: Al Jabalain 1 – 2 Al Fateh SC (W – King’s Cup)
Al-Fateh’s form stands at W-W-L-L-W, indicating their ability to secure victories, particularly in cup competitions and against mid-table league opponents. Crucially, Al-Fateh reportedly has no unavailable players due to injury or suspension for this fixture, offering coach Slaven Bilić a full squad to choose from. Standout players like Mourad Batna, known for his chance creation, along with attacking threats like Karl Toko-Ekambi and Sofiane Bendebka, will be key for Al-Fateh.
Tactical Preview
Given Damac’s struggle for points and their defensive vulnerabilities, they are likely to adopt a cautious approach, focusing on solidifying their backline and potentially looking to hit Al-Fateh on the counter-attack. A disciplined 4-4-2 or a compact 4-5-1 formation could be employed to absorb pressure and limit spaces for Al-Fateh’s creative midfielders and forwards.
Al-Fateh, with their more positive momentum and a full squad, is expected to take the initiative. They may line up in a more attacking formation, perhaps a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, aiming to dominate possession and exploit Damac’s porous defense, which has conceded an average of 2.8 goals per match in some recent outings. The midfield battle will be crucial, with Al-Fateh’s Matías Vargas potentially orchestrating play and supplying the likes of Batna and Toko-Ekambi. Al-Fateh’s ability to create chances, as evidenced by Batna’s contributions, will be a significant factor.
The match at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium will be played in typical Saudi Arabian autumnal conditions, which can still be warm. While travel fatigue is unlikely to be a major factor for a domestic fixture, the conditions could test player stamina, especially in the second half.
