Al Ittihad, looking to extend their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League table, are set to host Al-Nassr in a blockbuster first versus third matchup on Friday evening.
The hosts are top of the standings with 33 points from 12 outings, while the visitors are third in the table with 25 points from their opening 12 matches.
Match preview
© Imago
Al Ittihad have made a remarkable resurgence in the Saudi Pro League, rising from multiple bottom-half finishes between 2018 and 2020 to becoming title contenders in three of the last four seasons.
After coming close in 2020-21 and 2021-22 with third and second-placed finishes, Al Ittihad's resurgence was finally crowned in a stunning 2022-23 title win, securing 72 points from 30 matches and finishing five points ahead of Al-Nassr to claim their first Saudi Pro League title since 2008-09.
Despite bolstering their squad with stars such as Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante and Fabinho ahead of the 2023-24 season in hopes of defending their title, Al Ittihad fell massively short of expectations, finishing disappointingly in fifth with 54 points from 30 games, a staggering 42 points behind champions Al-Hilal, who amassed 96 points.
That underwhelming finish resulted in the sacking of Marcelo Gallardo, with Laurent Blanc hired to replace him heading into the new season, and the Frenchman has enjoyed a superb start at his new club.
Al Ittihad strengthened their squad once again over the summer, acquiring the likes of Moussa Diaby, Houssem Aouar, Steven Bergwijn and others, and the moves have certainly paid off, with the club sitting at the top of the table after 12 matches.
They have won 13 of their 14 matches across all competitions this term, losing once in the league, resulting in Blanc's men sitting two points clear of second-placed Al-Hilal and eight ahead of Friday's challengers.
Al Ittihad will, therefore, be full of confidence heading into this one, especially on the back of 10 successive victories across all competitions, though they have lost to Al-Nassr in each of the last two meetings.
The visitors will be heading into this game aiming to close the gap on the league leaders as they continue their search for a first Saudi Pro League championship since 2018-19.
Since then, they have consistently competed for the title, finishing second in 2019-20, 2022-23 and 2023-24, and third in 2021-22, but have been unable to dethrone the dominant Al-Hilal, who have claimed three of the last four Saudi Pro League titles.
That will be a major disappointment for Al-Nassr, especially considering their recent signings, including the likes of Anderson Talisca, Sadio Mane, Aymeric Laporte, Marcelo Brozovic, and the monumental addition of Cristiano Ronaldo.
That frustration has likely carried over into the start of this season, with Al-Nassr already trailing the league leaders by eight points after 12 matches, having earned 25 points from seven wins, four draws and one loss.
However, the visitors have been in excellent form on the road, remaining undefeated in the league with four wins and one draw from five matches, giving them hope of securing a third consecutive victory over Al Ittihad.
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Team News
© Imago
Al Ittihad are dealing with several injury issues heading into this match, including Abdulaziz Al Bishi, Abdulelah Saeed, Ahmed Bamsaud, Ahmed Sharahili, Luiz Felipe and Diaby, while Bergwijn and Aouar are also doubts after coming off last time out.
Benzema has scored 25 times in 43 appearances for Al Ittihad, including nine in nine league matches this term, and the striker is expected to lead the line once again here.
Boasting the joint-best defence in the league with eight goals conceded in 12 matches, the hosts are likely to once again rely on a defensive midfield partnership of Fabinho and Kante.
As for the visitors, Laporte and Sami Al-Najei are both doubtful due to injuries, while Mohamed Simakan was absent from their last outing due to an injury, meaning the defender may also miss out here.
Ronaldo was rested for the AFC Champions League matchup with Al-Sadd, which Al-Nassr lost 2-1, but the legendary striker is anticipated to come back into the starting team on Friday.
Al Ittihad possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Shanqeeti, Pereira, Kadesh, Mitaj; Fabinho, Kante; Hawsawi, Aouar, Bergwijn; Benzema
Al-Nassr possible starting lineup:
Bento; Al-Ghannam, Lajami, Laporte, Boushal; Brozovic, Alkhaibari; Angelo, Otavio, Mane; Ronaldo
We say: Al Ittihad 2-1 Al-Nassr
Al Ittihad may have lost each of the last two meetings with Friday's visitors, but the hosts are in undeniably greater form heading into this game than their opponents, and we expect that to continue with a narrow victory here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens