Moussa Dembele in line to start for Al-Ettifaq against Al-Ittihad

Moussa Dembele has returned to Al-Ettifaq manager Arthur Papas’ plans ahead of Tuesday’s Saudi Pro League meeting with Al-Ittihad in Dammam.

The French striker was left out of the squad for Saturday’s 1-0 win over NEOM in the ninth round, with his omission described as a technical decision by the coaching staff.

Papas selected eight other foreign players for that match and kept Dembele, the club’s leading scorer, out of the squad. However, Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiya has reported that the 29-year-old is set to return to the starting XI against Al-Ittihad.

Al-Ettifaq began preparations for the fixture by splitting the squad into two groups. Those who started against NEOM completed gym-based exercises, while the other players took part in a regular training session.

The second group’s work included a range of physical and technical drills before ending with a practice match between two teams.

Dembele has led Al-Ettifaq’s attack since the 2023-24 season and has scored 31 league goals for the club. Three of those goals have come during the current campaign.

The Australian coach used an attacking trio of Jordan Larsson, Khalid Al-Ghannam and Sultan Haroun against NEOM. The only goal was scored by substitute defender Abdullah Al-Khatib.

Al-Ettifaq are seventh in the Saudi Pro League with 15 points from nine matches. Al-Ittihad are fourth on 17 points after playing eight games.

The meeting in Dammam will be the 10th-round fixture for Al-Ettifaq.