[2026-27 AFC Champions League Two] Al Taawoun vs Al Faisaly preview Kick-off: 18:15 UTC on November 4
Al Taawoun won the previous away meeting 2-0, but Al Faisaly had more shots. Whether the gap in performance was as wide as the scoreline suggests is a separate question now that the teams meet again at Al Taawoun’s home ground.
1. Match overview and team form
Since Bozidar Bandovic took charge, Al Taawoun have beaten Al Rayyan and Al Faisaly in the AFC Champions League Two, but their league form is two draws and three defeats. They have allowed a high expected-goals total against top league sides, while conceding only twice in three continental matches. The difference in opponents and competitions matters. In the previous game against Al Faisaly, Mailson saved all five of the opposition’s 18 shots on target. Al Taawoun won through goals from second-half substitute Parfait Guiagon and Faris Al Ghamdi. It was a win built on defending and goalkeeping while making the most of limited chances.
Al Taawoun also have another attacking option compared with the previous meeting. Abderrazak Hamdallah has served his suspension and is eligible to play in this competition (Hala Khabar, Nov. 1; Jordan News, Nov. 3). Against Al Diriyah, he headed home a cross from Mohammed Al Kuwaykibi on the right. If he starts, Al Taawoun will have another forward to target with crosses from the flank, though his starting place and minutes are not confirmed. Bandovic said several absent players have returned but did not name them (YScores, Nov. 3).
Al Faisaly lead the Jordanian league, but recently lost to Al Hussein Irbid after conceding late and have now gone two games without scoring, including the Al Taawoun match. Their blank in the previous meeting was not simply a result of creating too few chances. They had 18 shots, and Ahmad Al-Ersan hit the woodwork. Al-Ersan has nine goals and three assists in nine appearances this season (Jordan News, Oct. 22). This time, Ihsan Haddad will miss the trip with a torn thigh muscle, while Anas Al-Awadat is also out injured (Jordan News, Nov. 1 and 3). Coach Tarek Mostafa is focused on correcting the defensive errors from the previous match (Jordan News, Nov. 3).
Al Faisaly are third in the group, three points behind the qualification places after a defeat. Al Taawoun lead on seven points, with Al Rayyan close behind on six. Both teams need a win. Al Faisaly, though, have to travel to Saudi Arabia after their October 31 match and play away again just three days later, so they will need to change two starters and prepare their substitutes accordingly.
2. Matchup analysis
The first key battle is whether Al Faisaly can get Al-Ersan into good positions to shoot. In the previous match, Mailson saved all five shots on target, but Al Taawoun did not prevent the attempts themselves. Al Taawoun may again protect the space in front of the box and make finishing difficult. Still, we cannot expect a clean sheet on the assumption that the goalkeeper will stop every shot on target again.
The second battle is Al Faisaly’s defence after pushing forward, and Al Taawoun’s attack in the second half. The visitors need three points, so they are likely to commit more players forward. After winning the ball, Al Taawoun can send Guiagon and Younes El Bahraoui down the flanks and into the space behind the defence. The opener in the previous match also came from Guiagon, who had come on at half-time. With Haddad and Al-Awadat unavailable, Al Faisaly have fewer options to ease the starters’ workload later on. If they cannot turn their early attacking pressure into a goal, they will have to keep attacking in the second half while also guarding against counterattacks.
If Hamdallah starts, Al Taawoun will have more than counterattacks to rely on. When Al Kuwaykibi delivers from the right, Hamdallah can be the target in the box. Al Faisaly will need to control the wide advances and deal with the aerial ball once the cross comes in. We cannot judge how much this route will feature until Hamdallah’s role is confirmed.
3. Verdict and conclusion
We expect Al Taawoun to win at home by one goal, with Al Faisaly creating chances around Al-Ersan and possibly scoring once before Al Taawoun strike on the counter in the second half. If Hamdallah starts, Al Taawoun will also have the option of targeting him with crosses from the right. The visitors’ three-day turnaround and the absence of two starters could affect their defending and substitutions late in the match. At the same time, Al Faisaly’s 18 shots in the previous game show they have a route to goal (Data Center).
The market clearly favours Al Taawoun, and the price on fewer goals has also drifted slightly higher since opening. We agree with the home-win direction, but expect a tighter scoreline and a more open game. The previous 2-0 depended heavily on Mailson’s saves, and Al Faisaly will have to push further forward this time to win. That should create more chances for Al-Ersan and more counterattacking opportunities for Al Taawoun. If Al-Ersan scores first in the opening half, Al Taawoun will have to chase the game and our expected home-win scenario will change.
[Final picks · by market · based on Betman listings] 1X2: Home win. Al Faisaly need a win and will push forward, leaving space for Al Taawoun to counter in the second half. The visitors are also short of options off the bench after two starters miss out and they make an overseas trip on a three-day turnaround. Handicap -1: Draw. Al Faisaly’s shot volume and Al-Ersan’s finishing could bring them a goal, while Al Taawoun have little basis for scoring three given how few chances they create. Over/Under 2.5: Over. We expect a one-goal home win with a goal for Al Faisaly as well. The visitors’ need to push forward and Hamdallah’s aerial threat add to the scoring chances.
