Al-Shabab vs Saham - FA Cup

The FA Cup returns to the home ground on October 2, 2026, where Al-Shabab and Saham will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Enzo Maresca and Rico Lewis held a pre-match press conference on Saturday as Manchester City prepare to face Atletico Madrid in their third pre-season friendly of the summer.

Form and standings can only tell part of the story when Al-Shabab and Saham cross paths in the FA Cup, and pride alone should guarantee a contest. The hosts will hope that the the home ground crowd can inspire a performance, whatever the numbers suggest. Saham will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter analyses the big talking points from the first round of Women's Super League matches, bringing you closer to the key stories at the heart of the women's game.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. Al-Shabab will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Saham must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. The 29-year-old ranked 4th in strokes gained approach in 2026, and he has finished outside the top four in that specific category only once in the seven full seasons he has played on the PGA Tour.

Individual moments of quality could tip the balance. Both sides possess players capable of producing something out of nothing, and a single flash of brilliance may be all that separates them. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. I wish the players all the best this summer." The defender's mother Zoe also shared her disappointment.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. The signals point towards a stalemate, with the two sides closely matched across form and standings. A 1-1 draw is easy to envisage. With positions in the FA Cup table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. Fulham's Antonee Robinson could be one of those, who would likely be a cheaper alternative to Hall, who has just enjoyed a breakout season with the Magpies.