**A friendly that'll tell you everything about pre-season sharpness** — Spanish side Eldense host Saudi outfit Al-Ettifaq in what looks like a proper battle despite the summer timing. 🔥

Eldense have been getting hammered lately (three losses in their last five), while Al-Ettifaq are the steadier outfit with two wins and two draws keeping them clicking. This is the kind of matchup where rhythm matters way more than league pedigree.

Key storylines:

- **CD Eldense's defense** is leaking goals (conceded three to Valencia, two each to Millwall and Real Sociedad) — Al-Ettifaq's attacking unit could punish that
- **Al-Ettifaq's midfield** featuring Á. Medrán and O. Duda will control tempo; Eldense need D. Méndez and B. Calvo to win the battle in the middle
- **M. Dembélé** and **J. Costa** offer enough quality up front for the Saudis, while Eldense lean on **C. Amarillo** and **M. Nieto** for spark

Expected lineups:

- **CD Eldense**: R. Vila, F. Smand, A. Gaixas, Á. Serradell, A. Ibarrondo, D. Méndez, B. Calvo, G. Macho, M. Bustillo, C. Amarillo, M. Nieto
- **Al-Ettifaq**: M. Rodák, M. Al-Olayan, A. Hindi, M. A. Khayrallah, A. A. Dahal, Á. Medrán, O. Duda, K. Al-Ghannam, J. Costa, M. Nkota, M. Dembélé

Prediction:

**Al-Ettifaq 2–0 CD Eldense**. Eldense's recent form is fragile, and Al-Ettifaq's shape looks tighter heading into their season. 📊