Al Taawon Buraidah
- Al-Taawon have drawn three and lost two of their five home games in the Saudi Professional League 2026/2027 this season, scoring 0.00 goals and conceding 1.40.
- Al Taawon Buraidah are winless in five home league games this season, drawing three and losing two, and there's no doubt Al-Ettifaq Dammam have the quality and form to keep them from winning on Thursday.
- They have split their home league results this year, but the bigger problem for the hosts is that they haven't won in front of their own fans.
Al-Ettifaq Dammam
- Al-Ettifaq have won four and drawn one of their five away games in the Saudi Professional League 2026/2027, conceding only three goals.
- The gap between the sides is telling and we're inclined to support the away side for this fixture, as the visitors are yet to be beaten on the road this term, winning four and drawing one of their away assignments.
- Al-Ettifaq should be able to get something from this fixture, particularly as they're in good form after a 3-0 victory over Al Kholood last time away.
Key Players
- With Abderrazak Hamdallah as the outlet from deep, the team can press high and move the ball quickly, though they have conceded too many goals this term.
- The visitors set up in either 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1 and have a reliable goalscorer in Moussa Dembele, who has scored three times in seven Saudi Professional League 2026/2027 appearances.
- Bersant Celina has scored two of Al-Ettifaq's last six goals in his last five appearances and can cause havoc between the lines.
Betting Insights
- The odds make Al-Taawoun slight favourites at 2.17, while Al-Ettifaq are 2.99 and the draw is 3.63.
- Over 2.5 goals at 1.72 looks good for goals but as Al-Taawoun are winless at home this time, the value for us is in the Both Teams to Score market at 1.59.
- It's close enough to make sense in a game where Ettifaq's attacking quality will be up against a home team that will need to take a few risks.
Prediction
- A draw seems the most likely outcome when these two teams, separated by 14 points and ten places in the current standings, match up in Buraidah.
- Rasovic's team will undoubtedly press to get a better result on Thursday, but Papas' team can control the game and frustrate Al-Taawoun.
- The midfield clash is key to the rhythm and tempo of this game and we're leaning towards a closer road result or a draw.
