Al-Riyadh play host to Al-Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday looking for the win that would move the 14th-placed side away from the relegation zone.
However, despite losing five of their nine games during the 2025-26 campaign, Al-Riyadh have collected five points from their last four matches.
Meanwhile, Al-Ettifaq make the trip to the Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz Stadium sitting in ninth position after a recent three-game unbeaten streak.
Victory here could take Al-Ettifaq as high as sixth ahead of the remainder of the matchday 10 schedule.
How the bookies see it: Value in all three outcomes?
Despite having just four more points than their hosts, Al-Ettifaq are priced as the 23/20 favourites by Bet365.
Nevertheless, Al-Riyadh are as low as 2/1 and the draw priced at 23/10, a clear indication that the bookmakers are unsure how this game will play out.
Head to head: An even head-to-head
Across the last eight competitive meetings between these two sides, there have been four draws. The other four fixtures have been shared equally.
While it should be noted that the first four games of that period took place between 2014 and 2016, there has still never been more than three goals scored in this fixture.
The most recent two encounters played at Al-Riyadh's home ground have featured just the one goal, Al-Riyadh winning 1-0 back in October 2023.
However, Al-Ettifaq prevailed 1-0 on home territory when the teams last squared off in April.
Player to watch: Wijnaldum, Dembele to star
Al-Ettifaq's 13 goals in this season's Saudi Pro League have been shared between four players, including Georginio Wijnaldum and Moussa Dembele.
While former Liverpool star Wijnaldum has four goals from nine appearances, Dembele has netted three from four outings, including in the most recent 3-2 victory over Al-Fayha.
As for Al-Riyadh, Mamadou Sylla has netted half of their 10 league goals, his latest coming in the 2-1 defeat at Al-Ittihad – the most recent league fixture – on November 21.
Probable lineups:
Given the month-long break, the starting lineups of both teams are somewhat of an unknown.
However, Talal Haji and Yahya Al-Shehri – who provided an assist – are both pushing for recalls to the Al-Riyadh side having been introduced as half-time substitutes and helping their side push Al-Ittihad all the way.
Meanwhile, Ziyad Al-Ghamdi could feature for Al-Ettifaq, depending on the fitness of Majed Dawran who needed to be withdrawn during the closing stages of the Al-Fayda match.
Having recovered from his serious knee injury, Dembele is in line for his fourth start of the campaign.
Al-Riyadh: Borjan; Al-Bawwardi, Al-Khaibari, Barbet, Hazazi; Okou, Gonzalez, Toze, Al-Shehri, Al-Absi; Sylla
Al-Ettifaq: Rodak; Khateeb, Hendry, Hindi, Calvo; Ali, Medran; Nkota, Wijnaldum, Dawran; Dembele
Anything else catch the eye?
Al-Riyadh have collected seven points from their four home league fixtures, their solitary defeat coming by a 3-2 scoreline to FC Neom. They have conceded just twice in the other three games.
Al-Ettifaq have four points from as many matches on their travels, with their one success being at a Damac FC side that remain winless in this division during 2025-26.
Despite the historical record suggesting that there could be minimal goals in this contest, Al-Riyadh have kept just one clean sheet in their last six games and Al-Ettifaq have not recorded a single shutout during that time.
They also possess the third and fourth worst defensive records in the Saudi Pro League.
Interested in why both teams scoring is such a strong angle? Check out our Masterclass on BTTS and sharpen your match-reading game.
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