Al Fateh will look to make it back-to-back wins in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday when they welcome the unbeaten Al Ettifaq to Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium for a one-on-one clash scheduled to kick off at 16:30 GMT+1.
Key Highlights
Al Fateh
After starting the season with a devastating 3-0 defeat away to Al-Qadsiah, Al Fateh bounced back to win 1-0 at home to Al Ahli Saudi right before the international break.
Al Fateh lost the opening match of the season even though they had the edge in possession with 51% of the ball. However, they could not convert their edge on the ball into shots, managing just four overall and three on target to Al Qadsiah’s 14 shots and five on target.
In their home match against Al Ahli Saudi, Al Fateh ceded possession of the ball to the visitors 42%:58%. However, their output was much stronger than their first match, getting nine shots overall and three on target compared to nine shots and five on target by Al Ahli Saudi.
Al Fateh can take significant encouragement from their win over Al Ahli, where they ceded possession and played on the break, making them more dangerous. This will be crucial for them when they host Al Etiifaq, who are expected to dominate the ball.
Al Ettifaq
Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq have made a good start to the Saudi Pro League season with two wins. The wins have been characterized by robust performances defensively and a clinical attack that has converted chances to hand Steven Garrard’s side a pair of narrow 1-0 wins.
In their match against Al Shabab, as they opened the season, Al Ettifaq were reactive, with just 40% of the ball to Shabab’s 60%. Steven Gerrard’s side also had just two shots on target in 90 minutes compared to Al Shabab’s four. They managed to turn these paltry numbers into a win, highlighting their efficiency.
In their second match, Al Ettifaq also ceded possession, claiming 48% to Al Akhdoud’s 52%. They also had four shots on target to the visitors’ three. In a second match, they translated their paltry numbers into a win.
Steven Gerrard is likely to retain the tried and tested approach when they travel to Al Fateh on Saturday.
Steven Gerrard, Al Ettifaq’s manager, has his eyes set on a third straight win in the Saudi Pro League
Injury Report
Neither side has reported fresh injury worries ahead of their clash at the weekend.
Team News
After winning their first match, Al Fateh are likely to retain their 4-2-3-1 formation, with Djaniny leading the line, and Al-Othman, Zelarayan, and Al Nazi playing in the attacking areas behind him.
Steven Gerrard has settled on Dembele, Vitinho, and Toko Ekambi as his attackers, with Fofana, Wijnaldum, and Medran likely to control the center of the pack.
Prediction
Al Ettifaq have shown significant solidity with their pair of clean sheets so far. They have the edge heading into the clash on Saturday. They will win the match, making it three consecutive wins at the start of the Saudi Pro League season.
