Al-Merreikh’s Steady Seven and Aberdeen’s Slide Down

The third week of January brings familiar faces extending their runs while others find themselves in deeper trouble. Al-Merreikh continues to avoid defeat, Manchester City keeps pace with their own unbeaten streak, and Aberdeen’s poor form shows no signs of improvement.

Al-Merreikh Reaches Seven Without Loss

Al-Merreikh has quietly put together seven matches without defeat, matching Manchester City’s current unbeaten run. The Sudanese side has been solid rather than spectacular during this stretch, picking up points consistently without drawing too much attention. Seven games unbeaten in their domestic league represents good form for a club that has had its share of ups and downs in recent seasons. City’s parallel seven-game unbeaten run shows they’ve found some stability after earlier season inconsistencies. Both sides will be looking to push these streaks into double digits, though neither has looked dominant enough to suggest they’re building toward something truly special.

Aberdeen’s Losing Run Hits Three

Aberdeen’s difficult season continues with three straight defeats, leaving fans wondering when this slide might end. The Scottish side has struggled to find any rhythm, and these latest losses suggest deeper issues than just bad luck. Three defeats in a row isn’t catastrophic, but it’s concerning for a club that expects better. The pattern has been similar in each loss - Aberdeen creates chances but fails to convert them while making costly defensive errors. Manager and players know they need to stop this run soon before it becomes a more serious problem. The next few fixtures will be crucial in determining whether this is just a rough patch or something more troubling.

Five teams are currently riding identical three-game winning streaks, showing decent form without setting the world alight. Al-Hilal leads the group, with their Saudi Pro League campaign gathering momentum through consistent victories. Newcastle has strung together three wins to climb their table, while Al Qadsiah matches their domestic rivals with their own trio of successes. The youth sides Goias U20 and America Mineiro U20 complete the quintet, both showing good development in Brazil’s competitive junior leagues. Three wins in a row is solid form for any team, though none of these sides has looked particularly convincing during their runs. All five will want to extend these streaks to build real momentum heading into February.

Goals Flowing for Al-Hilal Omdurman

Al-Hilal Omdurman continues to feature in high-scoring affairs, with six consecutive matches producing over 2.5 goals. The Sudanese club’s games have been entertaining for neutrals, though perhaps nerve-wracking for supporters. Whether winning, losing, or drawing, Al-Hilal Omdurman seems incapable of being involved in a boring match right now. Chelsea, West Ham, Celtic, and Sheffield Wednesday each have five straight over-2.5 games, suggesting attacking intent or defensive frailties depending on your perspective. Chelsea’s involvement in this list is particularly interesting given their usual emphasis on solid defensive shape. These teams are providing entertainment value, even if their defensive coaches might prefer cleaner sheets.

Youth Teams Struggle at Opposite Ends

Brazil’s youth competitions are producing contrasting fortunes, with America Mineiro U20 winning three straight while Aracatuba FC U20 and Noroeste U20 endure losing streaks. The three-defeat runs for Aracatuba and Noroeste highlight the challenges young players face in competitive environments. These losing streaks can be particularly damaging for developing players’ confidence. Jamaica’s Treasure Beach rounds out the teams with three consecutive losses, adding an international flavor to this week’s struggling sides. Youth football is often about learning through adversity, but extended losing runs help nobody. These teams need to find ways to stop their slides before confidence becomes a longer-term issue.

What to Watch

Next week brings key tests for several streak holders. Al-Merreikh and Manchester City will both look to extend their seven-game unbeaten runs, while Aberdeen desperately needs to end their losing streak before it reaches four. Al-Hilal Omdurman’s high-scoring entertainment looks set to continue, and the various three-game winners will discover if their form can stretch into more significant runs.