Al Kholood vs Damac

<div> <h2>Al Kholood vs Damac: Heat, Hustle and a Second-Half Swing?</h2> <p>Al Kholood host Damac in Ar Rass on September 18 in a matchup between sides eager to put early points on the board. While it is still the opening phase of the Saudi Pro League season, the indicators from the first two rounds point to a cagey first half followed by a livelier second, with Damac’s late-goal trend particularly striking.</p> <h3>Form Snapshot and Context</h3> <p>Damac’s campaign began with a 1-1 draw against Al Hazm and a narrow 1-2 loss to Neom SC. Notably, Damac have conceded first in both games but rallied to score in the second half each time. Their equalizing rate sits at an impressive 67%, and their average minute of scoring is 70. That pattern, coupled with September’s punishing afternoon heat in central Saudi Arabia, suggests that late-game swings are likely again.</p> <p>Al Kholood’s opening outing saw immediate attacking contribution from newcomers: John Buckley scored and Myziane Maolida assisted, pointing to some useful individual quality in transition and on the dribble. Defensively, however, the backline is still knitting together, with William Troost-Ekong and Norbert Gyömbér anchoring a unit that showed promise in duels and blocks but remains short on collective reps.</p> <h3>Tactical Tendencies</h3> <p>Damac’s passing spine—Abdelkader Bedrane, Jamal Harkass, Morlaye Sylla and Valentin Vada—has moved the ball reliably through the thirds, with Vada supplying an assist and two key passes in the last match. The right balance is still forming in the final third, where Yakou Meïté has labored to impose himself, making Jesús Medina the focal point of end-product. Expect Damac to build patiently, absorb periods without the ball, and lean into second-half pressure as Al Kholood tire.</p> <p>Al Kholood’s attack leans on Maolida’s ball-carrying and Buckley’s box-arrival. With wide runners like Muhammad Sawan providing outlets, Kholood are best when they can break lines quickly. Their ability to manage Damac’s set-piece threat—and Vada’s delivery—will be a decisive subplot.</p> <h3>Key Matchups</h3> <ul> <li>Maolida vs Al Anazi: 1v1s out wide could tilt territory. Maolida’s 4 successful dribbles in GW1 underline the threat.</li> <li>Troost-Ekong/Gyömbér vs Medina: Timing of Damac’s second-half runs and crosses will test Kholood’s defensive coordination late.</li> <li>Midfield control: Vada and Sylla’s ball progression versus Buckley’s energy and N’Doram’s screening will shape where the territorial battle is fought.</li> </ul> <h3>Numbers That Matter</h3> <p>Damac’s matches have seen both teams score 100% of the time so far, with total goals averaging 2.5. Their second-half profile is clear: all goals after the break and the average goal at minute 70. That dovetails with the environmental factor—heat in the high 30s°C can drop pressing intensity, open spaces, and increase mistakes in the final half-hour.</p> <h3>Odds and Angles</h3> <p>Market data was limited at the time of writing, but the analytics point to several angles:</p> <ul> <li>Both Teams To Score – Yes: Damac’s BTTS rate (100%) and Kholood’s credible attacking starters justify a fair price around 1.72; value if you see 1.80+.</li> <li>Damac Double Chance (X2): Given last season’s H2H sweep and Damac’s resilience when conceding first, 1.70 or better looks backable.</li> <li>Second Half Over 1.0 Goals: With Damac’s late scoring, weather, and defensive fatigue factors, fair ≈1.56; value at 1.65+.</li> <li>Jesús Medina to score or assist: Medina is Damac’s most reliable end-product outlet; 2.70+ would rate value for a goal involvement.</li> </ul> <h3>Projected XIs</h3> <p><strong>Al Kholood</strong> (4-2-3-1): Cozzani; Al Asmari, Troost-Ekong, Gyömbér, Al Shehri; N’Doram, Buckley; Sawan, Maolida, Khalifah; Guga/forward option.</p> <p><strong>Damac</strong> (4-2-3-1): Kewin; Al Hawsawi, Harkass, Bedrane, Al Anazi; Sylla, Vada; Alioui, Medina, Al Qahtani/Hazzaa; Meïté.</p> <h3>The Verdict</h3> <p>Expect a measured first half and a more open second act, with Damac’s equalizing habit keeping them in the contest. The data profile points to BTTS and second-half goals, while the matchup and H2H lean slightly toward Damac avoiding defeat. If Kholood are to swing it, Maolida’s ability to isolate and Buckley’s late box entries will be the route.</p> </div>