The Saudi Pro League sees Al-Ittihad take on Ettifaq at the Prince Mohammed Bin Fahd Stadium as one of the league's biggest underperformers of the season plays hosts to the league leaders who will look to tighten their grip on top spot.
Ettifaq have struggled for consistency throughout the entire campaign and they now sit 12th in the table and just a mere point above the drop zone.
Mood 😄 pic.twitter.com/bpKgLV0S8o— Ettifaq Club (@Ettifaq_EN) June 20, 2022
Mood 😄 pic.twitter.com/bpKgLV0S8o
Their inconsistencies have been summed up in the past month of action, with them winning twice by incredible scorelines, while also losing one and drawing the other.
The club started this topsy-turvy run with a stunning 4-0 victory over Al-Taawoun, where Maim Sliti scored twice, before Mohamed Al Kuwaykibi and Youssouf Niakate added a goal each towards the end of the game.
Ettifaq then proved why they’re so far down the table, with them failing to keep things moving positively with a 2-0 loss at home to Al-Hilal.
Patrice Carteron's men then met with Al-Hazm, where four different goalscorers were part of a fabulous 5-2 victory, with Sliti scoring twice yet again to make it five in his past four games.
Sliti stole the headlines again last time out, as in the draw with Al-Faisaly, he scored with just seconds remaining to get a well-deserved draw.
It’s been a sensational season for the forward to date, and he remains Ettifaq’s best chance to remain in the Saudi Pro League this campaign and avoid relegation.
As for Al-Ittihad, however, their season has gone the complete opposite direction as they are seeking the title after a few years of struggles in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Ittihad have finished 10th, 11th and eighth in the three seasons prior to the last, with them securing a fantastic third-placed finish last campaign.
Now, however, they are sitting level on points with Al-Hilal, and are ahead of the second-placed side by the simple fact that they have scored one more goal.
In fact, with 59 scored, they're the season's top scorers so far, while only Al-Hilal have conceded fewer with their 27 conceded compared to Al-Ittihad’s 28.
They have also won 19 of their 28 games to date, but with them losing to Al-Hilal this time last month before a defeat to Al-Ta'ee, they've now gone four games without a win as they're also out of the King of Cup Champions semi-finals after losing to Al Feiha.
Forebet predicts they’ll win here, however, in a game that is set to see over 3.5 goals.