Al Shabab vs Al Ettifaq: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Published at :December 5, 2023 at 1:44 PM

Modified at :January 14, 2024 at 12:13 AM

The White Lions of Riyadh are set to host Al Ettifaq on matchday 16

Al Shabab are winless in their last three games in the Saudi Pro League and now will host Al Ettifaq. They last won on 3 November against Al Ittihad Club due to Brazilian forward Carlos’s solo goal. After completing 15 games in the Saudi Pro League this season, Al Shabab have tallied 16 points on the table to sit at 12th.

Al Ettifaq in the same period have collected 7 points more than Al Shabab could. So far Al Ettifaq’s 23 points give them the 7th place in the Saudi Pro League standings. As visitors however they have failed to win in their last 5 trips to Al Shabab.

Kick-Off:

Thursday, 7 December 2023 at 11:30 PM IST (6:00 PM UK)

Location: Al-Shabab Club Stadium

Form

Al Shabab (in all competitions): L-D-L-W-W

Al Ettifaq (in all competitions): L-D-D-D-L

Players to Watch

Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab)

The 72-capped Belgium international plays as a left winger for the White Lions of Riyadh. In the last game against Al Taawoun, Yannick Carrasco scored from a penalty spot. So far in the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season, Carrasco has scored 2 goals while also providing 3 assists.

Georginio Wijnaldum (Al Ettifaq)

Georginio Wijnaldum who previously has played for Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain mainly operated as a midfielder. Now we see him play as a right winger or a right attacking midfielder for the Al Ettifaq side. And Wijnaldum has been doing it quite effectively. In the 10 SPL games Wijnaldum has featured in, the player has scored 5 goals.

Match Facts

Al Shabab (1.1 goals) rank12 while Al Ettifaq (1.3 goals) are ranked 9 in goals scored per Saudi Pro League match
Al Ettifaq have failed to score any of their last three away fixtures in all competitions
The last time both sides met, Al Ettifaq won 1-0 against Al Shabab

Injury & Team News

Head coach Igor Bišćan of Al Shabab doesn’t have the headache of any player being out injured. Moteb Al-Harbi is on course of return from a hamstring injury. His availability will be checked before the game.

The visitors also don’t have a lengthy list of players out injured. Midfielder Vitinho has a tendon injury that will need time. Former Olympique Lyon striker Moussa Dembélé might be back in time before this game. Dembélé had a muscle injury.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 14

Al Shabab wins – 6

Al Ettifaq wins – 3

Draws – 5

Predicted Lineup

Al Shabab predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):

Kim (GK); Al Yami, Santos, Saiss, H. Al Yami; Alqahtani, Cuellar; Al Muwallad, Banega, Carrasco; Carlos

Al Ettifaq predicted lineup (3-4-3):

Victor (GK); Hendry, Tisserand, Al Khateeb; Yousef, Henderson, Hazazi, Al Shamrani; Wijnaldum, Quaison, Gray

Match Prediction for Al Shabab vs Al Ettifaq

In the last 5 games that Al Shabab played as hosts to Al Ettifaq, they have remained unbeaten. This should bring in some confidence as they have failed to win in their last 3 games. There is a fair bit of chance though that Al Ettifaq can break that winless run to Al Shabab and also their own in the last 5 games in all competitions in this game.

Prediction: Al Shabab 1-2 Al Ettifaq

Telecast for Al Shabab vs Al Ettifaq

India – Sony Sports Network

UK – DAZN, Sky Sports

US – ESPN

Nigeria – Sporty TV

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