Over the course of the Saudi Pro League's game-changing summer transfer window, the majority of the eye-watering spending was conducted by the nation's 'big four', Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal, all of whom were taken under the control of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund in June. Neymar, Karim Benzema and Riyad Mahrez were just some of the Europe-based stars who were convinced to head to the Middle East, as the country's top sides looked to increase their stranglehold over the competition.
By the time the ink had dried on all the bumper contracts and the season was ready to get underway, there appeared to be only one club capable of breaking the big four's dominance: Al-Ettifaq. Stalwarts of the Saudi Pro League, but without tasting much success since their 1980s pomp, Faris Ad-Dahna were the competition's fifth-biggest spenders this summer and assembled one of the best squads in the division.
However, so far, things have been far from perfect. Currently, Al-Ettifaq are on a quite-miserable run, winning just one of their last five league games and also finding themselves out of the King's Cup before the quarter-finals.
If they can't find some form soon, they could slip out of the race for AFC Champions League qualification - which is awarded to the SPL's top three. This shaky run also reflects poorly on their high-profile manager, who received significant criticism for taking over in Dammam in the summer.