Al-Ettifaq will put their perfect record on the line in the 2024-25 Saudi Pro League season this Friday night as they host Al-Nassr at the Al-Ettifaq Club Stadium for a gameweek four clash.
The hosts have secured a maximum of nine points from their first three matches, while the visitors have had a shaky start, accumulating only five points during the same stretch.
Al-Ettifaq were widely expected to challenge the PIF-owned club's dominance last season, but they fell short, finishing in sixth place and achieving only half of the 96 points earned by league winners Al-Hilal.
This season, however, the Knights of Ad-Dahna have made a strong start, winning 1-0 away at Al-Shabab, followed by another 1-0 victory over Al-Akhdoud, and a 2-1 triumph against Al-Fateh around the international break.
This promising beginning is crucial for Steven Gerrard after a disappointing first year in charge. His team has now won their opening three games for the first time since the 2011-12 season, when they won seven of their first ten matches and went undefeated during that stretch.
If Al-Ettifaq secures a victory against last season’s runners-up on Friday, it will mark the club's longest winning streak since they last won four consecutive games between October and November 2012.
While the hosts lost to Al-Nassr in their last two encounters, it’s notable that both defeats occurred in Riyadh. In Dammam, they remain unbeaten in their last three meetings, including a 2-1 league victory last season.
On the other hand, Al-Nassr have struggled early in the season, delivering some underwhelming performances and currently trailing the top three by four points.
In their first three league games, the Knights of Najd have managed draws against Al-Raed and Al-Ahli, with a win over Al-Fayha in between, and they recently played to another stalemate in their opening AFC Champions League fixture against Al-Shorta on Monday night.
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