Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens tomorrow evening, Thursday, as Al-Ettifaq hosts Al-Fateh at the Egea Stadium in Dammam in a highly anticipated match for the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. This encounter carries particular significance as it pits the two giants of the Eastern Province against each other, with both sides eager to bounce back and return to winning ways.

The journey to find compensation after the stumbles of the greats

Both teams enter the match in relatively similar circumstances, each seeking to overcome the effects of defeats in the previous round against Riyadh's two giants. Al-Ettifaq suffered a loss to league leaders Al-Hilal, while Al-Fateh stumbled against Al-Nassr, making tomorrow's match an ideal opportunity to appease their fans and regain their technical and psychological balance before entering the final stages of the league.

Historical superiority tends toward the "typical"

Looking at the statistics and history, Al-Fateh clearly holds the advantage in the head-to-head record between the two teams in the Saudi Professional League. They have met 29 times previously, with Al-Fateh securing 13 victories compared to only 8 for Al-Ettifaq, while 8 matches ended in a draw. In terms of goals, Al-Fateh's attack is also superior, having scored 42 goals against Al-Ettifaq, compared to 25 goals scored by the latter.

The two teams' positions in the standings

Al-Ettifaq currently sits seventh in the Roshan League standings with 35 points, accumulated from ten wins and five draws, while suffering six defeats. The team hopes to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to climb into the international qualification spots or at least improve their position in the safe zone. Meanwhile, Al-Fateh is struggling with poor results, placing them tenth with 24 points, earned from six wins and six draws, while suffering nine losses. They desperately need the three points to distance themselves from the relegation zone.

Star Battalion and the Battle of Tactics

The match promises a technical clash between two squads brimming with international and local stars, reflecting the significant development of the Saudi league and its growing regional and international influence. Al-Ettifaq will rely on their experienced Dutch captain, Georginio Wijnaldum, to control the midfield, alongside Spaniard Álvaro Medrán, Slovakian goalkeeper Marek Rodák, Scottish defender Mark Hendry, and Costa Rican Francisco Calvo, in addition to their attacking prowess embodied by Frenchman Moussa Dembélé and South African Mohau Nkotto.

On the other hand, Al-Fateh aims to break its losing streak, having failed to secure a victory in its last seven matches (four draws and three losses). The team relies on the skills of Moroccan stars Mourad Batna and Marouane Saadane, as well as Algerian Sofiane Bendebka in midfield. They also count on Comorian Zaidou Youssouf, Argentinian Matias Vargas, Cape Verdean Wesley Delgado, and promising young local talents like Fahad Al-Zubaidi and Nayef Masoud.

This confrontation is not just about three points, but a struggle to impose leadership in the Eastern region and to confirm the ability to compete in one of the strongest Arab and Asian leagues currently.

Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens tomorrow evening, Thursday, as Al-Ahli hosts Al-Najma at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah in a crucial match for the 23rd round of the Saudi Professional League. This game comes at a pivotal moment in the competition, as Al-Ahli aims to extend its winning streak and close the gap on the league leaders.

Al-Ahli enters the match with very high morale, bolstered by its large fan base and its recent impressive results. The team currently sits third in the league standings with 50 points. The Jeddah-based club has won 15 matches, drawn five, and lost only once, reflecting its defensive solidity and attacking prowess this season. Al-Ahli sent a strong warning to its rivals in the last round after its resounding 5-0 victory over Al-Shabab, making it a strong favorite to secure all three points today.

On the other hand, Al-Najma is in dire straits, languishing at the bottom of the table with only 8 points. The team has struggled throughout the season, suffering 15 defeats and five draws, managing only one victory – a long-awaited win after 20 rounds. Despite this, Al-Najma has shown marked improvement recently following new signings and will be hoping to pull off an upset or at least secure a draw to revive their hopes of avoiding relegation.

On the technical side, Al-Ahli's squad is brimming with international stars who make a significant difference in the balance of power, led by Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Algerian Riyad Mahrez, and Ivorian Franck Kessié, in addition to English striker Ivan Toni and Brazilian Roger Ibañez. The list also features Frenchmen Valentin Atangana and Enzo Millot, Brazilian Wenderson Galeano, and the outstanding local full-back Zakaria Hawsawi.

In contrast, Al-Najma is relying on its recent resurgence and a host of foreign and Arab professionals to try and match Al-Ahli's high level of play. Among the most prominent are Brazilian goalkeeper Victor Braga, his compatriots Samir Souza, Lazaro, and Felipe Mardosso, and Frenchman Bilal Boutouba. The squad also includes notable international names such as the talented Iraqi Ali Jassim, Egyptian Nabil Emad "Dunga," and Portuguese Joga Rodrigues. It's worth noting that the first leg between the two teams in Buraidah during the sixth round ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Al-Ahli, suggesting a potentially competitive encounter despite the significant points difference.

The board of directors of Al-Shabab Saudi Club officially announced the signing of the veteran Algerian coach Noureddine Benzekri to take over the technical leadership of the first football team, succeeding the Spanish coach Imanol Alguacil, whose contract was terminated by mutual consent following a noticeable decline in the team’s results recently.

This swift move by Al-Laith management came to address the team's position in the Roshan Professional League standings, as an agreement was reached with Ben Zakri to lead the technical direction with a contract extending until the end of the current season, after successful negotiations on all financial and contractual details, and in confirmation of what Al-Midan sources had exclusively reported previously.

Why Nur ad-Din ibn Zakri?

The selection of Algerian coach Noureddine Benzekri is based on his extensive experience in Saudi football, where he is known in sporting circles as "the man for tough jobs" and "the savior." Benzekri has previously had successful and exciting coaching stints in the Saudi league with Al-Raed, Al-Fayha, and Damac. The coach is known for his strong personality and his ability to instill a fighting spirit in his players, in addition to his strict tactical discipline, which helps teams overcome technical and psychological challenges.

Challenges await Al-Laith

The Al-Shabab club management had decided to part ways with former coach Emmanuel Alguacil after a series of poor results unbecoming of the history and stature of the Saudi club, which led to the team's decline to a low position in the league standings, failing to satisfy the ambitions of the Al-Shabab fans. The management and supporters hope that "Ibn Zakri" will succeed in restoring balance to the team and achieving positive results that will secure a more fitting position for the club at the end of the season.

An anticipated emotional confrontation

Ironically, Noureddine Benzekri's first match in charge of Al-Shabab will be against his former club, Damac, in the upcoming round of the Saudi Professional League. This match carries added significance as it will be played at Al-Shabab's home stadium, and the new coach will be looking to begin his tenure with a morale-boosting victory, leveraging his extensive knowledge of Saudi football and the opposing teams.