Tonight, all eyes in Saudi football will be on Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam, which will host a highly anticipated match between Al-Ettifaq and their guests, Al-Ahli, as part of the 19th round of the Saudi Professional League. The two teams enter the match with contrasting ambitions: Al-Ettifaq aims to improve their position in the standings, while Al-Ahli hopes to continue their pursuit of the league leaders.
The general context and current season for both teams
This season's Saudi Professional League is witnessing fierce and unprecedented competition, especially after Saudi clubs attracted a constellation of the world's most prominent football stars, raising the level of the tournament and drawing widespread international attention. Al-Ettifaq, under the leadership of English coach Steven Gerrard, is striving to deliver a season worthy of the club's history, but the team has faced significant challenges, including inconsistent results and injuries that have impacted its technical stability. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli, recently promoted back to the Professional League, is enjoying a strong season and occupies a high position in the standings, relying on its star players such as Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino.
A crisis of absences hits Al-Ettifaq's ranks
Manager Steven Gerrard faces a significant challenge ahead of this crucial match, as the team is suffering from several key absences. Leading the list of absentees are Brazilian midfielder Duda and Spanish midfielder Álvaro Medrán, both sidelined with recent injuries, in addition to Egyptian striker Ahmed Hassan Kouka, who continues his rehabilitation program. These absences leave Gerrard in a difficult position, struggling to find suitable replacements for these technically gifted players, particularly in the build-up play.
The expected lineup for Al-Ettifaq against Al-Ahli
Under these circumstances, Gerrard is expected to field a balanced lineup to try and neutralize Al Ahly's attacking threat and capitalize on any opportunities. The predicted lineup is as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Paulo Victor
- Defense: Hamdan Al-Shamrani, Jack Hendry, Abdullah Al-Khatib, Radi Al-Otaibi
- Midfield: Georginio Wijnaldum, Seko Fofana, Faisal Al-Ghamdi
- Forwards: Demarai Gray, Karl Toko Ekambi, Moussa Dembele
The importance of the match and its expected impact
The match is of paramount importance to both teams. A victory for Al-Ettifaq against a team of Al-Ahli's stature would provide a tremendous morale boost for the players and coaching staff, propelling the team up the standings and away from the mid-table. For Al-Ahli, any slip-up could further distance them from the title race, making three points essential to maintain pressure on the league leaders. A fierce tactical battle is expected between Al-Ahli's German coach, Matthias Jäsle, and Al-Ettifaq's English coach, Steven Gerrard, adding a special dimension to the encounter and attracting regional and international attention.
