Al Ettifaqvs.Al Fayha

On the other hand, the away side make the journey to Dammam aiming to record back to back victories for the first time since early March.

Match preview

Al Ettifaq had to make do with a point for the second game running following a 2-2 stalemate against Al Raed at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Saturday.

After going behind to Karim El Berkaoui's opener, Steven Gerrard's men managed to turn the game around through strikes from Moussa Dembele and Haroune Camara before Mathias Normann levelled matters in second-half stoppage time.

Consequently, The Knights of Ad-Dahna have moved up to sixth place in the Saudi Pro League table, a whopping 10 points adrift of the top four.

Coming up next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are without a victory from the previous 15 editions of this fixture across all competitions.

Unbeaten in their last four matches on home turf, Friday's hosts will back themselves to secure another positive result in front of their fans.

Al Fayha made it two wins from their last three matches as they narrowly defeated Al Taee 1-0 at the Al Majma'ah Sports City on Thursday.

Leonardo Ramos's men opened the scoring in the early exchanges of the second half thanks to Sultan Mandash whose strike proved to be decisive in a tight affair.

With 26 points picked up from 29 matches so far, the Knights of The North sit 16th in the standings, one point adrift of safety heading into the final five rounds of games.

Off the back of eight goals conceded across their last three matches on the road, Friday's visitors have work to do at the back to avoid a third consecutive defeat on the road.

Al Ettifaq Saudi Pro League form:

D

D

L

W

D

D

Al Fayha Saudi Pro League form:

D

L

L

W

L

W

Team News

Moussa Dembele notched up his 10th league strike of the season last time out and will be looking to deliver the goods for Al Ettifaq once again.

Forward Haroune Camara will be pushing to make his official debut here having opened his account for the hosts at the fourth time of asking last time out.

Zambia international Fashion Sakala is eligible to feature here again after serving a one-game suspension in Al Fayha's win against Al Taee.

Osama Al Khalaf made his return to action from a brief injury layoff and the 27-year-old is expected to feature for the visitors in this one.

Al Ettifaq possible starting lineup:

Victor; Al Shamrani, Madu, Hendry, Al Otaibi; Wijnaldum, Medran, Fofana; Gray, Dembele, Toko Ekambi

Al Fayha possible starting lineup:

Al Dakheel; Al Baqawi, Al Khaibari, Al Rashidi, Konan; Al Safari, Kaabi, Cimirot; Mandash, Sabiri, Nwakaeme

We say: Al Ettifaq 2-1 Al Fayha

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