Al Ettifaq vs Al Ittihad

The Saudi Pro League is home to some intense rivalries, but few burn as brightly as the Eastern Derby between Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ittihad. These two teams from the Eastern Province have a long and storied history, creating a passionate atmosphere every time they face off. Let’s dive into their rivalry!

Head-to-Head Stats

How They Play

Al-Ettifaq, known as “The فارس الدهناء (Knights of the Desert),” are known for their solid defense and quick attacks. They usually play with four defenders, a tough midfield, and speedy forwards who love to attack on the break.

Al-Ittihad, nicknamed “The Tigers,” love to attack. They often use four defenders, creative midfielders who feed the ball to their strikers, and tricky wingers who run at defenders.

A Look Back in Time

Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ittihad have been clashing since 1958! Al-Ittihad usually wins, but Al-Ettifaq sometimes pulls off surprises. One exciting match in 2008 ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw, showing that anything can happen in the Eastern Derby.

Goal Machines

Al-Ettifaq’s greatest goal scorer against Al-Ittihad is the legendary Nawaf Al-Sahbi with an amazing 15 goals. For Al-Ittihad, their top scorer in this rivalry is a bit harder to pinpoint, but Fahad Al-Muwallad holds the potential to make history with his goalscoring prowess.

Players to Keep an Eye On

Al-Ettifaq boasts dangerous players like Youssouf Niakaté, a strong midfielder with an eye for passes, and Vitinho up front, who loves to dribble and take shots.

Al-Ittihad stars include the skillful Moroccan winger Abderrazak Hamdallah, known for his clinical finishing, and Brazilian playmaker Romarinho, who can unlock defenses with his clever passes.

Who’s New? (Recent Transfers)

Al-Ettifaq brought in Ali Al-Khaybari as a strong defender and signed Sadiq Al-Muwallad for speedy attacks.

Al-Ittihad bolstered their attack with Ahmed Sharahili and Haroune Camara. They also added the talented Ziyad Al-Sahafi as a young player to watch.

Conclusion: A Rivalry that Keeps Getting Hotter

Al-Ittihad may hold the historical edge, but Al-Ettifaq is always hungry to turn the tables. Every time these teams meet, you can feel the passion of the fans, the desire for bragging rights, and the pride of representing their cities.

This rivalry is only going to get more intense as both teams keep getting stronger. New stars will rise, and new chapters will be written in the history of the Eastern Derby. So next time you hear Al-Ettifaq is playing Al-Ittihad, grab a seat and get ready for a thrilling match!