The Al Shabab FC Stadium will host the one-on-one clash between the hosts Al Shabab and the visitors Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 18:00 GMT.
Key Highlights
Al Shabab
Al Shabab are looking for a better start to the Saudi Pro League this season as they look to improve on their 8th-place finish last season.
With 12 wins, eight draws, and 14 losses, Al Shabab finished the season with 44 points, 21 points outside the Asian Champions League qualification places, and some 41 points behind champions Al Hilal.
With 45 goals scored and 42 goals conceded last season, Al Shabab showed a lack of cutting edge in the final third and solidity at the back. Manager Vitor Pereira will work on his side ahead of hosting Al Ettifaq on Saturday to improve their dynamism, attacking play, and solidity at the back.
Al Ettifaq
In friendly matches against FC Cartagena and Oviedo, Al Ettifaq have tried to get their match fitness and sharpness ahead of the kickoff of the Saudi Pro League.
They were beaten 0-2 against Spanish side Cartagena; last time out, they lost a thrilling match against Oviedo 3-2. Over these two friendly matches, Steven Gerrard and his charges have shown an improvement in their attacking play and potency in the final third. However, conceding four times over two matches does not bode well for the new season.
Steven Gerrard will work to iron out their defensive issues ahead of their trip to Al Shabab, as they bid to make a winning start in a season they are expected to push on and challenge the top sides in the Saudi Pro League.
Injury Report
Neither side has reported new injury worries ahead of the clash on Saturday. The two sides will hope that picking their strongest sides will give them an edge as they vie for three points in this league opener.
Team News
Al Shabab is expected to start with Radig, Vitinho, and Ferreia Carrasco in the front three attacking positions. Bonaventura and Cuellar will occupy the two central midfield areas, and Vitor Pereira will look to continue with their 3-4-2-1 formation.
Al Shabab will focus on stretching Al Ettifaq with wing-backs, who will also provide defensive cover when out of position.
Al Ettifaq’s Steven Gerrard is likely to retain most of the starting 11 that stepped out in the last match of the 2023/2024 season against Al Taawoun, which ended in a 1-0 defeat to cap an underwhelming season for the Liverpool legend’s side.
Toko Ekambi and Camara are expected to start up front, with Wijnaldum and Fofana filling out the midfield. They will look to dominate the middle of the pack and set the tempo of the match on Saturday.
Prediction
The two sides are evenly matched ahead of their clash on Saturday. They both have brilliant talent in their squads and gifted managers. The two sides adopt two different tactics, with Al Shabab adopting a wing-back approach while Al Ettifaq will adopt a traditional 4-2-3-1.
The two sides will fight to a draw and share the spoils on Saturday.
