Pioli given huge first test, Greek tacticians face off

The second round of Matchweek 4 fixtures take place on Friday, with one team seeking a first point of the season and a blockbuster tie playing out on the East Coast.

Here’s our preview ahead of the triple-header.

Al Khaleej v Al Fayha

Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam - KICK-OFF 18:15 

A battle of Greek managers will unfold in Dammam in Friday’s early kick-off, where Georgios Donis welcomes compatriot Christos Kontis to the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Stadium.

For Al Khaleej, they're seeking to get back into their groove following back-to-back defeats, which have dented that opening-day victory at Damac. Goals have been hard to come by; in fact, an Al Khaleej player is yet to score this campaign given an own goal sealed the win in Matchweek 1. Donis will expect more from the likes of Mohamed Sherif, Khaled Narey and Fabio Martins.

Al Fayha have also drawn a blank, but regrettably that’s when it comes to points; with Al Okhdood drawing on Thursday, the Al Majm’ah club are now the only side in the league without one. As such, they sit bottom of the table.

A huge improvement is therefore required from the past two matchweeks, where Al Fayha conceded nine goals. They will be without new signing Chris Smalling, who endured a debut to forget last time out against Al Raed, scoring an own goal and getting sent off in the 5-0 home defeat.

Kontis, though, might take heart from Al Khaleej’s recent home record: they are winless in their past nine league matches there.

Get your tickets for Al Khaleej v Al Fayha HERE 

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Al Ahli v Damac

King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah - KICK-OFF 18:55 

What a welcome awaits new signing Ivan Toney, as the England international experiences his first matchday at the resplendent King Abdullah Sports City.

Toney, one of the league’s most high-profile summer recruits, will be eager to get on the scoresheet having made his RSL bow in the 1-1 draw at title rivals Al Nassr in Matchweek 3. Al Ahli have had a mixed start to the season, with a win, a draw and a defeat so, against Damac, they could use the former Brentford striker’s clear eye for a goal or two.

Cosmin Contra’s side, meanwhile, come into the game on the back of their first victory of the campaign – a 3-1 home win against Al Okhdood – and certainly showed in Matchweek 2 that they can mix it away to the RSL’s big boys. They pushed champions Al Hilal agonisingly close in a 3-2 defeat and, in Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, Habib Diallo and Francois Kamano, boast their own potent forward line.

Interestingly, Al Ahli have won only two of eight RSL clashes with Damac, although they are unbeaten in their past four, winning the most recent.

Get your tickets for Al Ahli v Damac HERE

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Al Ettifaq v Al Nassr

Al Ettifaq Club Stadium, Dammam - KICK-OFF 21:00 

Friday’s action closes with an absolute cracker in Dammam, where high-flying Al Ettifaq form the first opponents for new Al Nassr manager Stefano Pioli.

Steven Gerrard’s side have begun the season in fine fashion, with wins against Al Shabab, Al Okhdood and Al Fateh – each by a one-goal margin. For that, he has Moussa Dembele especially to thank; the Frenchman netted winners in the opening two matchweeks before registering an assist in the 2-1 triumph at Al Fateh last time out.

All that being said, in Al Nassr, they face their sternest challenge thus far, irrespective of the demanding week the Riyadh club have experienced. Manager Luis Castro parted company following the 1-1 draw at Iraq’s Al Shorta in their AFC Champions League opener, with Pioli swiftly appointed.

The former AC Milan manager has had only a couple of days to get to know his players, but with captain Cristiano Ronaldo starting the season in goalscoring form – four goals, for club and country – then his team can never be underestimated.

Al Nassr have a win and two draws so far in the RSL, however if they are to get back in the win column, they will have to snap a four-game winless streak at Al Ettifaq.

Get your tickets for Al Ettifaq v Al Nassr HERE