Shabab Al Sahel vs Al Nejmeh on 7 February
The stage is set for a highly anticipated clash between two of Lebanon’s football heavyweights, Shabab Al Sahel and Al Nejmeh, in the Premier League on February 7th. The match, taking place at the iconic Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium, promises to be a tactical battle full of drama, with both teams fighting for crucial points that could shape their seasons. With Shabab Al Sahel looking to bolster their chances of a top-half finish and Al Nejmeh aiming to maintain their pursuit of the title, this encounter holds significant stakes for both sides.
Shabab Al Sahel: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Shabab Al Sahel enters this match in strong form, having won 3 of their last 5 games. Their recent victory against a resilient Ansar team demonstrated their tactical maturity and ability to control the pace of the game. Under manager Fouad Anwar, Shabab has adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation, which has proven effective in both defensive stability and attacking fluidity. The team’s midfield, anchored by the ever-reliable Youssef Daoud, has been key in controlling possession and dictating the tempo of matches. With an average of 56% possession in their last 5 games, Shabab excels in maintaining the ball and using short, quick passes to move up the field. Their xG (expected goals) per match stands at 1.32, reflecting a well-balanced attack that often creates high-quality chances.
In the final third, Shabab’s wing play has been their primary avenue for creativity, with playmaker Ahmed Zraien frequently cutting inside from the left flank to link up with striker Mohammed Zaatar. Zaatar’s movement off the ball will be crucial in this match, as he will need to exploit any gaps left by Al Nejmeh’s defensive line. However, the team will be without the services of key defender Ali Ghandour, who is serving a suspension after accumulating yellow cards, which could disrupt their defensive solidity. The absence of Ghandour will place added pressure on the central defensive duo of Khaled Al Hamadi and Nader Al Mahdy to remain disciplined.
Al Nejmeh: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Al Nejmeh, managed by the seasoned Lebanese coach Nebojsa Novakovic, has been in impressive form, with 4 wins and 1 draw in their last 5 outings. Their attacking prowess has been their hallmark, scoring an average of 2.5 goals per game during this stretch, with an xG of 1.83 per match. Al Nejmeh typically lines up in a 4-3-3 formation, with an emphasis on high pressing and rapid counter-attacks. Their defensive block is organized and compact, but their real strength lies in the attacking transitions, where they exploit spaces left by opponents with speed and precision.
Leading the charge in attack is the dynamic striker Mohammad Haidar, whose combination of physicality and finishing ability has been a constant threat. Haidar’s link-up play with wingers Mohammad Kdouh and Omar Chahrour has been crucial to their success in the final third, with both wingers offering pace and width to stretch the opposition. The midfield trio, including the experienced Walid Askar, has been effective in recycling possession and setting the tempo, with Al Nejmeh averaging 52% possession in their last five games. However, Al Nejmeh's tendency to leave space behind their full-backs during attacking phases could be a potential weakness for Shabab to exploit, especially with their strong wing play.
Al Nejmeh's biggest concern heading into the match is the fitness of key midfielder Ali Al Saadi, who is recovering from a knock. If Al Saadi is unavailable, it would force Novakovic to shuffle his midfield, potentially disrupting the team's fluidity in transition.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
The rivalry between Shabab Al Sahel and Al Nejmeh has always been fiercely contested, with both teams having a rich history of competitive encounters. In their last five meetings, Al Nejmeh has been the more successful side, winning 3 of those matches, while Shabab has managed only 1 win, with 1 match ending in a draw. However, Shabab’s sole victory came in an emphatic 3-1 win in the 2021-2022 season, where they effectively nullified Al Nejmeh’s counter-attacking threat through disciplined defending and quick transitions. The psychological aspect of this match will be crucial, with Shabab needing to overcome the mental hurdle of facing a team that has dominated this fixture recently. Al Nejmeh, on the other hand, will look to continue their strong record and assert their superiority in this matchup.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
One of the most exciting battles will be between Shabab Al Sahel’s left winger, Ahmed Zraien, and Al Nejmeh’s right-back, Rami Cheikha. Zraien’s dribbling skills and ability to cut inside could pose a significant challenge to Cheikha, whose positioning will be key in preventing Zraien from creating chances or getting into dangerous areas. If Zraien can drag Cheikha out of position, it will create space for Zaatar to exploit in the box.
Another key battle will be in midfield, where Youssef Daoud’s defensive awareness and passing range will be tested against Walid Askar’s energy and creativity. Daoud has been instrumental in breaking up opposition attacks and setting up counter-attacks for Shabab, and he will need to be at his best to disrupt Al Nejmeh’s fluid midfield play. If Askar gets the better of Daoud, Al Nejmeh’s midfield could dominate the game.
The decisive area of the field could well be the wide channels. Shabab’s width in attack could exploit Al Nejmeh’s defensive gaps, especially if their full-backs push too high during attacking phases. However, if Al Nejmeh manages to press effectively and force Shabab into turnovers in their own half, they could capitalize on quick transitions, which has been their trademark this season.
Match Scenario and Prediction
This match is likely to be a tactical chess match, with both teams vying for control in midfield while looking to exploit each other’s weaknesses. Shabab will look to dominate possession and build attacks slowly, while Al Nejmeh will look for quick transitions and counter-attacks. The match will likely feature high intensity, especially in the wide areas, with Shabab attempting to stretch the game, while Al Nejmeh will try to hit them on the break.
Given Shabab’s form and solid defensive setup, combined with the attacking prowess of Al Nejmeh, I expect a close encounter with goals on both sides. I predict a 2-1 victory for Al Nejmeh, with Haidar finding the net again and Shabab fighting back through Zaatar. Both teams to score seems a strong bet, and I would also anticipate a high number of corners as both sides utilize the width of the pitch to create opportunities.
Final Thoughts
This match will provide valuable insight into both teams’ tactical flexibility and ability to execute their respective strategies under pressure. Shabab will need to find a way to break down Al Nejmeh’s high pressing and counter-attacking game, while Al Nejmeh must remain compact and organized at the back to avoid being undone by Shabab’s width and precise passing. The big question this match will answer is: Can Shabab Al Sahel disrupt Al Nejmeh’s momentum, or will the defending champions continue their march towards the title?
