Al Ettifaq will welcome Al Orobah to the Abdullah Al Dabil Stadium on Sunday for a one-on-one clash in the Saudi Pro League. Kickoff is slated for 19:00 GMT+1.
Key Highlights
Al Ettifaq
Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq have experienced a sharp downturn in form after starting with three straight wins. They have gone three matches without a win and collected one point out of a possible nine.
The core highlight from the last three winless matches is that Al Ettifaq have managed to score one goal while conceding five times, compared to their opening three matches, where they scored four times and conceded once.
The reversal has heightened pressure on Gerrard and his charges, with expectations from the fans high that they could challenge at the top end of the table this season.
In their last match before the international break, a 0-1 defeat at home to Al Raed, Al Ettifaq enjoyed the lion’s share of the ball with 69% and had four shots on target. Their inability to score in this match despite the high expected goals compared to Al Raed is a cause for concern ahead of their home clash against Al Orobah.
Steven Gerrard will hope that the international break will give his side the time it needs to reformulate their attack and develop a sharper edge than they have shown in the Saudi Pro League so far.
Al Ettifaq will look to return to winning ways in the Saudi Pro League after three consecutive winless matches.
Al Orobah
Al Orobah have had a poor start to their Saudi Pro League campaign; in their opening six rounds of fixtures, they have won twice, drawn once, and lost three times.
They have averaged a goal every match, scoring six times in this run, while averaging almost two goals conceded every match, with ten goals conceded in six matches.
The seven points they have collected out of a possible 18 places them 11th on the table, 11 points below the top of the table at this early stage.
Al Nassr brutally exposed their frailties in their 3-0 defeat before the international break. Al Nassr had 67% of the ball to Al Orobah’s 33%, 16 attempted shots to the visitors’ 12, and four on target to Al Orobah’s one.
Ahead of their clash at Al Ettifaq, there is an emphasis on tightening Al Orobah’s defensive shape and giving their attackers a platform to create and take chances.
Injury Report
Neither side has reported fresh injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s clash.
Team News
Gerrard will keep faith with Dembele, Toko Ekambi, and Radif as his front three as the embattled attackers look to find solutions to turn their form around and fire Al Ettifaq to victory on Sunday.
Boateng will continue leading the line for Al Orobah at the top end of a 4-1-4-1 formation. Muhar, Guðmundsson, and Seri will man the midfield, and they will be charged with dominating the ball, dictating the tempo, and supporting Boateng in attack.
Prediction
Al Ettifaq is favored to end their three-match winless run and take home the three points against Al Orobah on Sunday.
