Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq will look to bounce back to winning ways after a poor run in the Saudi Pro League when they host bottom-of-the-table Al-Hazm at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium on Thursday at 15:00 GMT.
Key Highlights
Al-Ettifaq has been winless over the last two months in the Saudi Pro League as pressure piles on their English manager, Steven Gerrard.
Al-Ettifaq has drawn twice and lost three times in their last five outings. In their last outing, they were beaten 3-1 by title-chasing Al-Nassr, which came after a run of three matches without scoring a goal. They have scored just twice in their last seven matches in the Saudi Pro League, highlighting their core challenge.
Their inability to create and score goals is worrying. It is particularly baffling because Al-Ettifaq has attacking talents like Dembele and Damarai Grey, who signed in the summer for big money.
With Wijnaldum and Henderson in the middle of the pack, there is an expectation that Al-Ettifaq should turn their form around sooner rather than later.
Al-Hazm are out of sorts; they have won just twice this season and are rooted at the bottom of the Saudi Pro league table after collecting just 12 points out of the 18 matches.
Al-Hazm will look to steady their form, which has seen them collect 5 points in their last five outings coming up against an out-of-form Al-Ettifaq side.
Injury Report
Neither side has reported fresh injury worries in the lead-up to Thursday’s clash in the Saudi Pro League.
Team News
Steven Gerrard will charge Wijnaldum and Henderson with the responsibility of leading their side out of their current poor run of results. The two former Liverpool players will have the responsibility to be leaders and introduce grit and character to the side.
Prediction
Al-Ettifaq will win the match and return to winning ways.
