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

Al-Ittihad side is yet to concede as they travel to face Al-Riyadh

Matchday 3 in the Saudi Pro League 2023-24 brings you a contest between a mid-table side Al-Riyadh who are yet to lose and current league leaders Al-Ittihad who have yet to concede a goal.

While Riyadh witnessed Brazilian sensation Neymar being unveiled at Al-Hilal now the limelight will shift towards their newly promoted neighbours Al-Riyadh. After finishing fourth in Division 1 of the Saudi Arabian football system, they managed to get promoted.

How? For last season the Saudi Pro League decided to demote two teams while promoting four from Division 1 so as to make 18 teams participate in the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season. This gave Al-Riyadh the wild card entry who have last been to the top tier way back in the 2004–05 season. Their season began fairly well considering they won their opener against Al-Wehda and settled for a draw against Damac FC.

Al-Ittihad on the other hand took home the winner’s medal from the 2022-23 Saudi Pro League season after finishing five points above Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al-Nassr. And now after bringing a host of players who are cherished worldwide, they have plans to defend the title as well. Al-Ittihad managed to snatch away Karim Benzema from Real Madrid on a free transfer. And soon N’Golo Kanté and Fabinho followed suit. The club have started their title defence on a high given they are yet to concede and have all six points from the last two games.

Kick-Off:

Thursday, 24 August 2023 at 18:00 UTC (11:30 PM IST)

Location: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium

Form

Al-Riyadh (in all competitions): D-W-D-L-W

Al-Ittihad (in all competitions): W-W-L-W-W

Players to Watch

Knowledge Musona (Al-Riyadh)

With the start of the 2023 24 Saudi Pro League season for Al-Riyadh after promotion, Knowledge Musona gave them a goal in the opener. That goal against Al-Wehda gave the side all three points and a strong start to the new campaign. Later in the second game he once again contributed with an assist this time. However, that game ended with a draw against Damac FC. We believe Yannick Ferrera once again will revert to a 3-4-3 after the draw, where Musona will field the left wing position.

Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad)

The new number 9 for Al-Ittihad didn’t cost a penny in transfer fees but definitely is worthwhile to watch. After 14 years with Spanish giants Real Madrid that involved 648 appearances, Karim Benzema left after contributing a whopping 354 goals. That’s not just it, the Frenchman is well capable to find his teammates in goal-scoring spots. His assists tally for Los Blancos was 165.

Al-Ittihad have two engines in midfield with Fabinho and N’Golo Kanté that have helped the team keep back-to-back clean sheets in the first two league games. And the team can thus try and find Benzema who is expected to rack in goals this season. The 2022 FIFA Ballon d’Or winner will be eager to open his goal-scoring account.

Match Facts

• In all last five meetings, Al-Ittihad has won with four goals. Clearly been the dominant side between the two
• Al-Riyadh are yet to lose a league game after successful promotion back to Saudi Pro League
• Al-Ittihad are yet to concede a goal. After two opening fixtures the club has two clean sheets

Trending World Football Articles:

• Top five most valuable squads in football
• Top 10 players with biggest rating upgrade in EA FC 24
• Ranking the favourites to win Best FIFA Men’s Player Award 2023
• Top five favourites to win Serie A 2023-24 based on odds
• Top 10 footballers who were banned for doping

Injury & Team News for Al-Riyadh vs Al-Ittihad

The newly promoted side Al-Riyadh is expected to revert back to the 3-4-3 formation after the last match ended in a draw with Damac FC. Manager Yannick Ferrera experimented with a 4-4-2 formation in the last outing. Striker Saleh Al Abbas is in good form after scoring a brace. And is expected to spearhead the attack once again where Knowledge Musona will provide width in the attack from the left wing.

Coach Nuno Espírito Santo on the other hand will be pleased with the pair of Fabinho and N’Golo Kanté. Al-Ittihad are yet to concede in the Saudi Pro League 2023-24 with them in the central midfield. Karim Benzema will once again get the nod for the striker position. However new arrival Jota is reportedly being considered to be sold just after a month of joining.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 5

Al-Riyadh wins – 0

Al-Ittihad wins – 5

Draws – 0

Predicted Lineup

Al-Riyadh predicted lineup (3-4-3)

Campana (GK); Asiri, Arslanagic, Tosca; Alnwaiqi, Ndong, Toure, Al Khaibari; Al Zaqan, Al Abbas, Musona

Al-Ittihad predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

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

Match Prediction for Al-Riyadh vs Al-Ittihad

The newly promoted side will be wary of the big signings Al-Ittihad made. And given the strong start plus the difference in the calibre of the players. If Al-Ittihad can manage to keep opposition striker Saleh Al Abbas and winger Knowledge Musona quiet, a third clean sheet for the term could be well on the cards. However given the firepower of Karim Benzema and co, the away team is expected to score a few instead of a narrow-margin win.

Prediction: Al-Riyadh 0-3 Al-Ittihad

Telecast

India – Sony Network

UK – DAZN, Sky Sports

US –  ESPN

Nigeria – Sporty TV

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