Al Ettifaq seeks to break their four-match winless streak in the Saudi Pro League as they travel to Riyadh to face Al Shabab on Thursday.
Match Preview:
Al Shabab, positioned 12th in the Saudi Pro League table with 16 points from 15 games, faces a downturn in form.
They aim to recover from recent disappointments, having suffered seven defeats and only clinched four victories so far.
Despite their last win against Al-Ittihad in November, Al Shabab has managed just one point from their last three matches, including a 2-1 loss to Al-Taawoun.
Currently sitting just above the relegation zone, they seek a turnaround in fortunes starting with a home victory.
Al Ettifaq, previously in a strong position under Steven Gerrard’s management, now sits seventh after failing to secure a win in their last four league games.
Despite notching a point in their recent matches, they endured a 1-0 loss against Al Okhdood in their latest outing.
With a gap of seven points to the top three, Al Ettifaq aims to regain momentum and climb up the league standings with a win against Al Shabab.
Al Shabab Saudi Pro League form:
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Al Ettifaq Saudi Pro League form:
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Team News:
Igor Biscan might make minimal changes to the Al Shabab lineup, possibly including Habib Diallo and Romain Saiss. Yannick Carrasco and Ever Banega are key players in attack and midfield, respectively.
Al Ettifaq might continue without Moussa Dembele. Robin Quaison, Demarai Gray, and Georginio Wijnaldum could feature in the attacking trio.
Jordan Henderson is crucial in midfield, while Abdullah Al-Khateeb, Marcel Tisserand, and Jack Hendry could form the defense.
Possible Starting Lineups:
Al Shabab: (4-2-3-1)
Kim;
Al Saqour, Saiss, Santos, Al-Yami;
Cuellar, Al-Qahtani;
Junior, Banega, Carrasco;
Diallo
Al Ettifaq: (3-4-3)
Victor;
Hendry, Tisserand, Al-Khateeb;
Yousef, Henderson, Hazazi, Al Shamrani;
Wijnaldum, Quaison, Gray
Prediction: Al Shabab 1-1 Al Ettifaq
Both teams possess quality and are determined to return to winning ways. With Al Ettifaq missing Dembele, a draw seems likely, given the circumstances, in Riyadh.
