Al-Ettifaq vs Al-Ahli Jeddah
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<html> <head> <title>Al‑Ettifaq vs Al‑Ahli Jeddah – Pro League Preview</title> </head> <body> <h2>Al‑Ettifaq vs Al‑Ahli Jeddah: Upgrades vs. Continuity in a Dammam Heat Test</h2> <p> Early-season optimism greets both Al‑Ettifaq and Al‑Ahli Jeddah as they meet in Dammam on September 12. Each side opened the campaign with a win: Ettifaq edged Al Kholood 2–1 at home, while Al‑Ahli calmly saw off Neom 1–0 thanks to an Ivan Toney strike on 23 minutes. With both teams heavily invested in the summer, this fixture doubles as a statement game—Al‑Ahli seeking to confirm their top-four credentials, Ettifaq aiming to prove May’s 3–1 win away at Al‑Ahli was no one-off. </p> <h3>Team News: Al‑Ahli’s New Spine, Ettifaq’s Defensive Gaps</h3> <p> Al‑Ahli enter close to full strength after an ambitious window that brought Ivan Toney to lead the line and Frank Kessié to anchor midfield, with Merih Demiral marshalling the back line. The opener showcased a sturdier shape and better game-state control; Al‑Ahli led for 67 minutes and never looked in danger. </p> <p> Ettifaq’s off-season was also productive, keeping key creators and adding high-end experience in Georginio Wijnaldum, while Ávaro Medrán provides guile between lines and Mohau Nkota adds thrust. The downside: injuries to Abdulbasit Hawsawi and Joao Costa thin defensive depth—an awkward timing against an upgraded Al‑Ahli attack. </p> <h3>Tactical Themes</h3> <p> Expect Al‑Ahli to build around Kessié’s ball-wins and Veiga’s ball progression to connect into Toney, whose hold-up and penalty-box presence redefine their final-third threat. Al‑Ahli’s compact mid-block in the opener allowed them to manage the tempo after taking the lead—an identity shift from last season’s volatility. Ettifaq will counter with a possession-leaning midfield trio (Wijnaldum, Medrán, Mukhtar Ali), supported by Nkota’s direct running and Al‑Ghannam’s width. If Ettifaq can turn turnovers into quick diagonals behind Al‑Ahli’s fullbacks, they can generate the kind of transition looks that troubled Al‑Ahli last spring. </p> <h3>Numbers to Know</h3> <ul> <li>Al‑Ahli: 74% time leading in the opener; 100% lead-defending rate; kept a clean sheet (1–0).</li> <li>Ettifaq: Scored twice in their opener; conceded once; defensive injuries force reshuffles at the back.</li> <li>Weather factor: Hot, humid Dammam evenings often tilt the second half toward the deeper bench—an area where Al‑Ahli may hold an edge.</li> </ul> <h3>Key Matchups</h3> <ul> <li><strong>Toney vs Hendry/Calvo:</strong> Toney’s movement and aerial threat should stress Ettifaq’s centre-backs, especially on set plays and early crosses.</li> <li><strong>Kessié vs Wijnaldum/Medrán:</strong> Central control battle; if Kessié locks the middle, Ettifaq will be forced wide and into lower-quality deliveries.</li> <li><strong>Nkata/Al‑Ghannam vs Demiral + FB:</strong> Ettifaq’s best chance is stretching Al‑Ahli’s back line; Nkota already on the scoresheet this season.</li> </ul> <h3>Betting View</h3> <p> The market rightly installs Al‑Ahli as favorites (1.50 ML). Their improved structure, clean-sheet opener, and superior spine support a road win despite the venue. For value, the corridor that marries Al‑Ahli superiority with Ettifaq’s home scoring profile is compelling: Both Teams To Score at 1.62 and “Al‑Ahli & Over 2.5” at 2.10 track a realistic 1–2 or 1–3 path. Given the conditions and Al‑Ahli’s bench quality, “Second Half Winner – Al‑Ahli” at 1.83 is another angle that may be slightly mispriced. </p> <h3>Prediction</h3> <p> Ettifaq’s midfield can engineer chances, but Al‑Ahli’s new-look balance and Toney’s edge tilt the match. A competitive game that breaks the visitors’ way late: Al‑Ahli 2–1. </p> </body> </html>
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