Round 28 of the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season comes to an end with a clash between Al Ettifaq and Al Wahda at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium on Saturday.
Both teams head into this one off the back of contrasting results time out, but this weekend's encounter should be a close one nonetheless.
Match preview
© Reuters
Al Ettifaq just about saw off the threat of Al Riyadh courtesy of a hard-fought 1-0 triumph when the teams went head-to-head two Saturdays ago.
Steven Gerrard's men broke the deadlock after just 10 minutes through Karl Toko Ekambi's strike, which turned out to be the all-important moment.
Consequently, the Knights of Ad-Dahna remain seventh in the Saudi Pro League table, nine points away from the top four with a game in hand.
On the menu next is the challenge of an opposing outfit with only one victory from the last seven editions of this fixture dating back to 2019.
Unbeaten in five of their last six home matches leading up to Saturday's matchup, the hosts will fancy their chances of securing another positive result in front of their fans.
Al Wahda were knocked out of the semi-finals of the Saudi Super Cup courtesy of a 2-1 defeat against Al Ittihad at Al Nahyan Stadium on Monday.
First-half goals from Karim Benzema and Abderrazak Hamdallah left Georgios Donis's men with a mountain to climb before Hussein Al Eisa pulled one back in second-half stoppage time.
Prior to that, the Red Giants played out a 1-1 stalemate against Al Ahli and currently sit 12th in the standings with 31 points picked up from 27 matches.
Having been beaten in seven of their last eight games away from home, Saturday's visitors have it all to do as they look to avoid another fruitless outing on the road.
Team News
Following his winner last time out, Karl Toko Ekambi has now been directly involved in four goals in his last five matches, making him one to look out for.
Robin Quaison remains out for the home side through injury as the Sweden international awaits his first appearance since the final week of January.
Twenty-three-year-old Hussein Al Eisa could be rewarded with a start for Al Wahda here after coming off the bench to good effect against Al Ittihad
Forward Odion Ighalo saw his goal drought extend yet again in the aforementioned game but is expected to lead the line for the visitors.
Al Ettifaq possible starting lineup:
Victor; Abdulrahman, Hendry, Khateeb, Al Otaibi; Fofana, Medran, Wijnaldum; Gray, Dembele, Toko Ekambi
Al Wahda possible starting lineup:
Munir; Hawsawi, Al Hafith, El Yamiq, Al Muwallad; Fajr, Bakshween; Van Crooy, Anselmo, Noor; Ighalo
We say: Al Ettifaq 2-1 Al Wahda
Al Wahda have endured an abysmal last couple of weeks and Al Ettifaq will be looking to heap more misery on their visitors. We can see the home side narrowly securing maximum points at the end of the 90 minutes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adepoju Marvellous
