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Al Riyadh vs Al Ittihad Previews: Teams News, Stats And Possible Line-ups

Published

22 December 2024, 20:45 pm

Al Riyadh vs Al Ittihad Previews: Al Ittihad hopes to extend their strong beginning to the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season as they face Al Riyadh at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Thursday evening.

The reigning champions enter this match at the top of the league table, whereas their opponents, currently in eighth place, have also shown promise since their ascent back to the premier league.

Last season, Al Riyadh ended in fourth in the First Division League. Their promotion to the top tier, alongside Al Ahli and Al Hazm, was due to the expansion of the league to 18 teams. They accumulated 63 points from 19 victories, six draws, and nine defeats, netting 55 goals and letting in 37.

To date, the hosts have capitalized on this chance, being among the eight teams that haven’t faced defeat in their initial two games. They drew 2-2 with Damak and secured a 1-0 victory over Al Wehda in the opener.

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Saleh Al Abbas’s two goals were a highlight from the last match. However, Abdullah Al Ammar’s goal in the 100th minute denied them another win. These results, totaling four points from two games, lay a promising groundwork for Yannick Ferrera’s squad for the season ahead, even though a tough match awaits them.

In contrast, the champions started their title defense powerfully, marking back-to-back wins against Al Tai and Al Raed.

Abderrazak Hamdallah scored in the recent game, and Saleh Al Amri later doubled their lead, positioning them at the league’s summit. Al-Ahli and Al Ettifaq are close behind. Last season, Al Ittihad ended a 12-year drought by clinching the Pro League title, overthrowing Al-Hilal, the three-season reigning champs.

When these teams clashed in the 2019 King’s Cup, Al Itthiad dominated with a 4-0 victory. Remarkably, this marked their fifth consecutive game netting four goals against Al Riyadh since November 2004.

Ferrera has been consistent with his lineup but has adjusted tactics, transitioning from a 4-4-2 formation to a 3-4-3. It’s expected he might revert to the earlier formation in the upcoming match. After his double goal feat, Al Abbas will likely be in the starting lineup alongside recent signee, Knowledge Musona.

With the visitors’ defensive midfielders Fabinho and N’Golo Kante maintaining two clean sheets, it’s anticipated they’ll return to the field. Meanwhile, Karim Benzema eyes his first league goal for the team. Given Hamdallah’s impressive form, Jota might be on the bench for another game.