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Saudi Pro League | Gameweek 22
Mar 2, 2024 at 2pm UK
Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium

Damac
0 - 2
Al Ettifaq


Zeghba (23')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Gray (16'), Dembele (45+6' pen.)

Preview: Damac vs. Al Ettifaq - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Saudi Pro League clash between Damac and Al Ettifaq, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Damac and Al Ettifaq face off in round 22 of the Saudi Pro League with just three points separating both sides.

The hosts are on 31 points after 21 league matches while the visitors have 28 points from the same number of games.


Match preview

Al Ettifaq coach Steven Gerrard on November 4, 2023© Reuters

Damac's winless run stretched to three games after a 1-1 draw with Al Fateh at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium last Friday.

The Knights of the South fell behind in the 55th minute after Sofiane Bendebka found the net for Fateh but Georges-Kevin N'Koudou restored parity in the 65th minute.

Cosmin Contra's side climbed up the table after a five-match winning run between late November to December, but they have since failed to win a league game, losing to Al Riyadh and Al Shabab before last weekend's draw to sit sixth on the table.

Next in line is a home fixture against an opposition that has had the better of them in the last encounters.

However, since losing the first two times they played host to Al Ettifaq, Damac are unbeaten at home against them, picking up one win and three draws.

After failing to record victory in nine competitive games dating back to late October, Al Ettifaq resumed league action for the year with a 2-0 victory over Al Khaleej.

However, they could not maintain the momentum, losing 2-0 to league leaders Al-Hilal last time out in their second league game of the year.

Despite picking up just eight points in their last 10 league games, the Knights of Ad-Dahna are in eighth place, having a comfortable ten-point gap between them and the teams in the relegation zone.

Al Ettifaq's biggest issue this season has been in front of goal, with their 24 goals scored so far giving them the title of 'weakest attack' among the top ten sides.

However, only two sides, Al-Hilal (10) and Al-Ahli (23), have conceded fewer goals than Al Ettifaq in the league this season.

Steven Gerrard will hope his team's defence will be enough to push them to another victory over Damac this weekend, having beaten the Knights of the South six times in their 12 meetings.

Damac Saudi Pro League form:

Al Ettifaq Saudi Pro League form:


Team News

Al Ettifaq's Demarai Gray celebrates with teammates after the match on September 21, 2023© Reuters

Damac have a clean bill of health, leaving them with several options ahead of this clash.

A front three of N'Koudou, Ahmad Al-Zain and Abdulaziz Al-Shahrani is expected to start once again on Saturday.

Like the hosts, Al Ettifaq have no injury concerns to report, leaving Gerrard with many options to choose from for this clash.

Moussa Dembele currently leads the side with seven goals this season and should spearhead the attack with the assistance of former Leicester winger Demarai Gray and Cameroonian international Karl Toko Ekambi.

Seko Fofana, on loan from Al-Nassr, should be part of a midfield three that includes former Liverpool man Georginio Wijnaldum and Alvaro Medran.


Damac possible starting lineup:
Zeghba; Solan, Al-Rashidi, Bedrane, Al Anazi; Hamed, Antolic, Stanciu; Zain, Al-Shahrani, N'Koudou

Al Ettifaq possible starting lineup:
Victor; Yousef, Hendry, Madu, Al Shamrani; Fofana, Medran, Wijnaldum; Ekambi, Dembele, Gray



SM words green background

We say: Damac 1-1 Al Ettifaq

Al Ettifaq have dominated this fixture in recent times, but they are struggling to win games at the moment. It remains to be seen if last weekend's defeat was just a one-off but we think the best they can get here is a draw.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Al Ettifaq's Jordan Henderson celebrates after the match on September 21, 2023
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Al Ittihad1110012681830
2Al-HilalAl-Hilal1191129111828
3Al-Nassr1164122101222
4Al ShababAl Shabab11713157822
5Al Quadisiya11713158722
6Al Khaleej116141514119
7Al-AhliAl-Ahli11524159617
8Al-TaawounAl-Taawoun114341110115
9Al Riyadh114341315-215
10Al RaedAl Raed114251616014
11Damac114251819-114
12Al Ettifaq11335915-612
13Al Orubah113171024-1410
14Al Okhdood112361215-39
15Al WahdaAl Wahda112361527-129
16Al Kholood111461321-87
17Al Fayha11146720-137
18Al Fateh11128820-125


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