Matchday six of the 2023 Saudi Pro League sees Abha play host to Al Ettifaq at the Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The sides head into this weekend's action off the back of contrasting results last time out, but we expect a keenly-contested affair nonetheless.
Match preview
Al Ettifaq ended a two-game winless run in style by comprehensively defeating Damac 3-1 at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium on September 2.
Steven Gerrard's men fell behind to an early Georges-Kevin N'Koudou penalty before rallying to hit back through Moussa Dembele's double and a second-half strike from Hamdan Al Shamrani.
Consequently, The Knights of Ad-Dahna have moved up to fifth place in the Saudi Pro League table, albeit just three points shy of leaders Al Hilal.
Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit with little separating the teams as the last 13 meetings have yielded six wins apiece and one share of the spoils.
Having recently suffered a first away defeat in five matches, Saturday's visitors will be keen to avoid suffering back to back losses on the road for the first time since May.
Abha were beaten for the second time in three matches with a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Al Taee when the teams faced off two Fridays ago.
Czeslaw Michniewicz's men looked set to come away with a point having kept the scores level heading into the final 10 minutes, in which Andrei Cordea broke the deadlock.
With six points from five matches so far, the Leaders of the South sit 10th in the standings, outside the top half only on goal difference.
Currently on a run of consecutive wins in front of their fans, Saturday's hosts will be confident of getting the job done on home turf once again.
Team News
New arrival Demarai Gray is expected to make his Al Ettifaq debut for the away side having recently joined from Premier League side Everton.
Since signing for the away side, Moussa Dembele has hit the ground running with four goals in his opening five matches, making him one to keep an eye on.
Karl Toko Ekambi found the back of the net for Abha in his first outing and will be looking to pick up where he left off prior to the international break.
Twenty-nine-year-old Saad Dguir missed the hosts' most recent involvement through a knock but could make an immediate return to action this weekend.
Abha possible starting lineup:
Epassy; Amro, Al Kunaydiri, Al Sudaini, Al Hamsal; Al Salouli, Saddiki, Matic, Meziani; Caicedo, Al-Omari
Al Ettifaq possible starting lineup:
Victor; Yousef, Hendry, Khateeb, Al Shamrani; Hazzazi, Al Ghamdi, Henderson; Quaison, Dembele, Al Kuwaykibi
We say: Abha 1-1 Al Ettifaq
Abha have been solid at home of late as they prepare for what is arguably their toughest home assignment so far. We are tipping the hosts to secure a point from what should be an open and end-to-end clash.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Adepoju Marvellous
