Al-Ittihad vs Al-Hilal: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Published at :August 30, 2023 at 8:26 AM

Modified at :January 13, 2024 at 6:36 PM

Two star-studded sides will go up against each other

Al-Ittihad have started their new season with 12 points in 4 games, they are yet to concede a goal this season and remain the only side to get all the possible points from its opening fixtures. Al-Hilal, on the other hand, have recently signed Neymar to improve the attack.

The two highest-scoring teams in the league will have a tough challenge against each other considering the potentials of both the teams. It is going to be an exciting match for all the spectators, Al Ittihad will look to maintain their clean sheets and unbeaten run, whereas Al Hilal will look to get a win and go at the top of the league.

Kick-off

Friday, 1 September 2023 at 2:00 PM ET (11:30 PM IST)

Location: Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium

Form:

Al Ittihad (Saudi Pro League): W-W-W-W

Al Hilal (Saudi Pro League): W-D-W-W

Players to watch:

Jota (Al-Ittihad)

Benzema’s injury means all eyes will be on Jota, the Portuguese and former Celtics player joined the side in this summer transfer window. He is yet to have proper game time under Nuno, but the Frenchman’s absence will allow him to show his true potential. He came on as a sub against Al Wehda and scored one of the three goals his side managed to score.

Malcom (Al-Hilal)

The Brazilian striker has been the main man behind most of the goals that Al Hilal has scored in the first four matches, quite far he has been the signing of the club till now. The former Zenit striker has great positional awareness which will make him capable of running behind the Al Ittihad backline to post a threat in the game.

Match facts:

Kalidou Koulibaly has made his return from injury just on time to face one of the top teams in the Saudi Pro League in just his second match of for Al-Hilal.
Recent results show Al Hilal is unbeaten in the previous four meetings of this fixture. Last season, Al Hilal won the away match and played a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture.
Both the clubs are ranked amongst the top two teams in the league, Al-Ittihad and Al Hilal have already scored 12 goals and 10 goals respectively in the new season.

Injury and Team news for Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal

Al Ittihad fans might just have faced an unpredictable injury to their team captain Karim Benzema. The French striker went down in the first half of their game against Al Wehda on Monday, after receiving treatment on the field, his injury looked quite serious and it was decided the 35-year-old could not continue and he was taken off while he was holding his hamstring

Al Hilal’s most expensive player Neymar has trained with the first team few days back, he was in attendance during their last match. Neymar, who suffered an injury during his last days at PSG will have to wait to make his debut in the Saudi Pro League, he is expected to miss a couple of games before he can actually wear that jersey and actually healthy enough to play in the league.

Head to Head:

Total Matches – 35

Al Hilal wins – 16

Al Ittihad wins – 7

Draws – 12

Predicted Lineup

Al Ittihad predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Grohe (GK); Bamsaud, Sharahili, Hawsawi, Al-Shanqeeti; Fabinho, Kante (C); Coronado, Hamdallah, Romarinho; Jota

Al Hilal predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Bono; Y. Al-Shahrani, Koulibaly, Al Bulaihi, Al Shahrani; Ruben Neves, Kanno; Michael, Malcom, Al Dawsari (C), Mitrovic

Match Prediction for Al-Ittihad vs Al-Hilal

Al Ittihad have had a promising start to the season winning all four matches of their season so far while also keeping a clean sheet in every single game. But we back Al Hilal to snatch the win keeping in mind the history these two clubs have had till now. AL Hilal have a better squad on paper with popular names in the list of signings they have made this season.

Prediction: Al Ittihad 1-2 Al Hilal

Telecast

India – Sony Liv, Sony Sports Network

UK – Sky Sports

US – ESPN

Nigeria – Sporty TV.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and join our community on Telegram.