Preview: Al-Hilal vs. Al Ittihad – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

The last game of the fourth match week of the Saudi Pro League will be Al-Hilal Acquisition of Al-Ittihad at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium for the first Saudi El Clasico of the new season.

When these two giants from Riyadh meet, there is a chance to take the lead in the table, with both teams heading into this weekend with a nine-point lead after their first three games.

Game Preview

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After sweeping title rivals off the pitch last season with a memorable unbeaten league campaign, Al-Hilal have hit the ground running again this season and it looks like it will take an incredible effort to stop them from winning their second title.

The Blue Waves have already won their first title in the 2024/25 season when they beat Al-Nassr 4-1 in the Super Cup. Since then, they have recorded four consecutive victories, including a 3-1 victory over Al Rayyan in the opening round of the AFC Champions League in midweek.

In league competition George JesusThe team has beaten Al Okhdood, Damac and Al Riyadh, scoring three goals in each match, and is on course to beat its world record of 34 consecutive wins set last season.

At home, Al-Hilal have won 24 consecutive matches, scoring two or more goals in all but one. The team has not suffered a league defeat at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium since March 6 last year.

Last season, the hosts were able to prevail against their upcoming opponents a total of six times across all competitions, extending their winning streak against them to seven in a row and their unbeaten streak to 12.

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However, Al Ittihad appear to be a much better team this season than last season, when they slipped to fifth place in the league table and were a whopping 42 points behind their El Clasico rivals.

The poor performance of Nadi Al-Sha’ab last season led to the dismissal of Marcelo Gallardo in summer with Laurent Blanc Appointed as the Argentine’s successor, the Frenchman led his team to three consecutive victories and to the top of the table.

Blanc’s team went top of the table last week when they crushed Al Wehda 7-1 at home. Karim Benzema He scored a hat-trick – his second since arriving in the Middle East.

The former Real Madrid striker also scored in the seven-goal thriller between these sides in the first league game last season and will need to maintain his early form throughout the season if Al Ittihad are to challenge for the title.

Al-Hilal Saudi Pro League form:

Al-Hilal Form (All Competitions):

Al Ittihad Saudi Pro League form:

Al Ittihad Form (All Competitions):

Team News

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Jesus can rely on the entire squad, apart from the Brazilian star Neymarwho is reportedly set to return to the pitch in less than two months after tearing his cruciate ligament nearly a year ago.

Alexander Mitrovic is already at the top of the top division goalscoring charts with six goals in three games, scoring two goals in each of those matches.

Blanc will be missing at least three players for El Clasico, including long-term injuries Ahmed Sharahili And Ahmed Bamasudwhile Luis Felipe will miss his third consecutive game due to a thigh injury.

In Felipe’s absence Daniel Pereira will probably continue in central defence alongside Saad Al Mousawith Fabinho And N’Golo Kante As deep-lying midfielders, they provide defensive cover.

Possible starting lineup for Al-Hilal:
Bounou; Al-Yami, Koulibaly, Al Bulaihi, Lodi; Milinkovic-Savic, Neves; Al-Qahtani, Alhamddan, Al-Dawsari; Mitrovic

Possible starting eleven for Al Ittihad:
Rajkovic; Al Yami, Al Mouse, Pereira, Kadesh; Edge, Fabinho; Diaby, Aouar, Bergwijn; Benzema

We say: Al-Hilal 3:2 Al Ittihad

Al Ittihad are brimming with confidence after their convincing win over Al Wehda last week, but the team now faces their toughest test of the season against the defending champions, who have put in equally impressive performances in the early stages of the season.

This game could easily end up being another goal fest, but Al-Hilal’s home record cannot be ignored and we are tipping the hosts to take the points in this one.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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