Al Ettifaqvs.Al Shabab

Steven Gerrard's men are ending the campaign somewhat positively after a troubling start, and they seek a positive result in their final home game of the season against a side on a losing run.

Match preview

Fans of Al Ettifaq may wonder what might have been had they avoided the extended slump between September and December in the soon-to-be-completed season, with a continental qualification out of reach.

A three-match winning run in September was followed by one victory in 12 league games, effectively ruling out a top-four berth.

Faris Ad-Dahna have won five games in 2024, losing just three times compared to six before the turn of the year, pointing to some improvement by the sixth-placed side.

However, the tendency to play out stalemates has undermined their prospects of a top-four finish, as they sit 10 points shy of Al-Taawoun.

While they have suffered one defeat in the last month — a 2-1 home loss against Al Fayha — three draws in six league matches have not helped their cause despite the uptick in 2024 results.

Gerrard's team seek to end their home games on a positive note against an Al Shabab side that have been defeated in back-to-back league fixtures, losing to Al-Ahli (2-1) and Al-Taawoun (1-0).

Consecutive defeats have followed Al Leith's five-match undefeated sequence (one draw), suggesting a dip in motivation for Vitor Pereira's team who have little to play for.

The Riyadh-based club are not in relegation danger — the ninth-placed side sit 10 points clear of the bottom three — and are too far behind notching a continental place.

Regardless of the last road loss at Al-Taawoun, Pereira's men were undefeated in five consecutive away matches, but their motivation will be tested in the penultimate round.

Pivotal to that run was a four-match streak without conceding, and it remains to be seen if the capital club are as watertight on Thursday.

Al Ettifaq Saudi Pro League form:

W

D

D

L

W

D

Al Shabab Saudi Pro League form:

D

W

W

W

L

L

Team News

Gerrard is not expected to have Demarai Gray (shoulder) available for gameweek 33's clash, having missed the 1-1 draw with Al-Okhdood. Moussa Dembele was replaced after 10 minutes in the previous game, making the centre-forward's participation on Thursday uncertain.

Mohammed Yousef was sent off after 16 minutes last time out, ruling out the right-back against Al Shabab.

Pereira is still without long-term absentees Seung-gyu Kim and Abdullah Al-Jawaey (both knee), while Hattan Bahebri has battled muscle issues since mid-March.

Yannick Carrasco (13 goals plus assists) has been involved in six goals (four goals, two assists) in his last five league appearances, and he seeks to flourish after a four-game sequence of scoring or assisting ended in Al Shabab's recent loss at Al-Taawoun.

Ivan Rakitic returned last time out after missing six matches but may be eased back in after featuring for 28 minutes in the previous weekend.

Al Ettifaq possible starting lineup:

Victor; Al-Oteibi, Hendry, Madu, Khateeb; Fofana, Medran, Wijnaldum; Toko Ekambi, Khaibri, Camara

Al Shabab possible starting lineup:

Malaika; Sharari, Santos, Saiss; Al Yami, Ajuwayr, Cuellar, Al-Harbi; Al-Monassar, Carrasco; Diallo

We say: Al Ettifaq 1-1 Al Shabab

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