Al Quadisiya, with renewed title hopes, have a chance to close the gap at the top as they host leaders Al Ittihad in a high-profile Saudi Pro League encounter in round 24.
The hosts sit third with 50 points, three ahead of fourth-placed Al Nassr and one behind second-placed Al Hilal, while they trail Thursday's visitors, who sit at the summit, by seven.
Match preview
© Imago
On a gameweek where the leading sides faltered, Al Quadisiya seized the moment, climbing one spot higher after snatching a last-gasp 1-0 victory over Al Riyadh at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd on Sunday evening.
With Al Nassr and Al Hilal suffering defeats on Friday, the Knights of the East entered their own contest in high spirits but were made to toil for all three points, despite their opponents going down to ten men in the 63rd minute, before Abdulaziz Al-Othman's stoppage-time strike settled the game in dramatic fashion – Al Ittihad's slip-up adding to the euphoria.
That victory was a much-needed response from Al Quadisiya, who had been humbled 4-1 on their trip to Al Ahli in the previous outing, though that remains Fares Al Sharqiya's only defeat in the last nine outings, which also includes seven wins and one draw.
While Míchel's side will fancy their chances of closing in on Al Ittihad given their fine form, they face a daunting task, having lost each of the last four meetings between the sides, including a 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture in October.
Al Quadisiya's drought against the visitors on home soil stretches even further, failing to secure victory in the last nine encounters, with just three draws to show for it, while their last triumph dates back to 2007.
Nonetheless, the hosts can take confidence from their impressive form at Bin Fahd this season, where they have picked up 27 points from 33 on offer, making them the third-best home side in the division.
Meanwhile, Al Ittihad suffered their first point drop in front of their own crowd on Sunday, when they were stunned 1-1 by relegation-threatened Al Okhdood.
While Al Quadisiya turned a potential draw into victory late on, the People's Club endured their own frustration in the dying moments, as Christian Bassogog's stoppage-time equaliser denied them all three points and the opportunity to extend their lead at the summit.
That result marked a second consecutive stalemate for Laurent Blanc's side, who had won each of their previous four outings, though they still hold a six-point cushion at the top of the standings.
Al Ittihad's recent stumbles have been largely due to their struggles in seeing out games, having suffered a similar fate at Al Khaleej, where they surrendered their lead in the 96th minute after Kostas Fortounis's penalty.
Despite this troubling pattern, Blanc can count on his solid backline that has conceded the joint-fewest away goals in the division (10) to rise to the occasion on Thursday, as they aim to get back to winning ways.
Team News
© Imago
Having come through the last game unscathed, Míchel could opt for an unchanged lineup for a third consecutive match.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Julian Quinones have accounted for 25 of Al Quadisiya's 36 league goals this season, and they are expected to lead the line again, though Al-Othman could be in contention for a start after his productive cameo last time out.
Cameron Puerta is set to operate just behind the front two, while a three-man defence of Jehad Thakri, Nacho and Gaston Alvarez should provide cover for goalkeeper Koen Casteels.
Al Ittihad's defensive concerns deepened as Hassan Kadesh's injury further strained Blanc's options at left-back, with Mario Mitaj already sidelined, making Muath Fagihy the likely starter on Thursday.
These issues compound an already depleted backline, as centre-backs Abdulelah Al-Amri and Ahmed Sharahili remain sidelined.
Further up the pitch, Steven Bergwijn remains doubtful after missing the last two games, making it likely that Abdulrahman Alobud retains his spot in a three-man midfield alongside Houssem Aouar and Moussa Diaby.
The trio are set to support Karim Benzema, who aims to build on his 16-goal tally — level with Al Ahli's Ivan Toney and one behind the league's top scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo of Al-Nassr.
Al Quadisiya possible starting lineup:
Casteels; Thakri, Nacho, G. Alvarez; Al Shamat, N. Nandez, E. Fernandez, Al-Ammar; Puerta; Aubameyang, Quinones
Al Ittihad possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Al Yami, Al-Moussa, Pereira, Fagihy; Kante, Fabinho; Alobud, Aouar, Diaby; Benzema
We say: Al Quadisiya 1-1 Al Ittihad
This high-profile clash features the league's tightest defence — Al Quadisiya, with just 19 goals conceded and a league-high 13 clean sheets — against the most resilient away backline.
Given their defensive solidity but also the attacking quality on both sides, a low-scoring draw with goals at both ends seems likely.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
