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

The club football will resume after the September international break

Defending champions Al-Ittihad travel to take on Al-Akhdoud in their sixth match of the Saudi Pro League 2023-24 season. The team is currently third in the league table and will look to bounce back with a win.

The side led by Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema, Al-Ittihad won their opening four matches of the season. However, just before the international break, Nuno Espirito Santo's side suffered their first loss of the season.

They played at home against one of the title contenders Al-Hilal. Al-Ittihad were cruising for a victory as they had a 3-1 lead at the end of the first half. Three goals in the second half for the opposition turned around the tie and the team failed to register any points from the match.

Their opponents, on the other hand, registered their first win of the season. After playing a draw in the first match, Al-Akhdoud suffered three consecutive defeats. They were promoted to the Saudi Pro League this season and will be fighting for survival in the current campaign.

Kick-off

Thursday, 14 September 2023, 03:00 PM (GMT); 08:30 PM (IST) at Prince Hathloul bin Abdul Aziz Sport City Stadium.

Form

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

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

Player to watch in Al-Akhdoud vs Al-Ittihad

Florin Tanase (Al-Akhdoud)

The Romanian midfielder joined the Saudi Pro League club in 2023. He is a key figure in the centre and already has two goal-scoring contributions to his name. Tanase scored a goal in the second match and created the winning goal of the last match. The 28-year-old has to play his best football against some of the best players in the opposition.

Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad)

The French striker will look to get into his best form in this match. Karim Benzema has scored two goals and created two for his teammates in five league games. He is the main attacker in the team. The Frenchman was on a rest during the September international break and this gives him more time with the manager and the new teammates.

Match facts for Al-Akhdoud vs Al-Ittihad

• Al-Ittihad have scored at least three goals in their last three Saudi Pro League matches.
• Al-Akhdoud have lost both their home matches this season.
• Al-Ittihad have scored 10 goals in three away games this season.

Injury and team news

Al-Ittihad will be without summer signing Jota, who has not been registered due to foreign player quotas. The rest of the squad remains intact with new stars such as N’Golo Kante, Fabinho and Karim Benzema all available.

Head to Head

This will be the first meeting between the two sides.

Predicted lineup

Al-Akhdoud

Vitor, Mansour, Burca, Alyami, Kvirkvelia, Zabdani, Harthi, Tanase, Al Muwallad, Collado, Tawamba

Al-Ittihad

Grohe, Bamsaud, Sharahili, Hawsawi, Alolayan, Fabinho, Kante, Coronado, Hamdallah, Romarinho, Benzema

Match prediction for Al-Akhdoud vs Al-Ittihad

Al-Ittihad are the defending champions and will look to return back to winning ways. They average three goals per game and this game is a chance for them to further up their scoring rate. Al-Akhdoud are expected to have a tough day in the office.

Prediction: Al-Akhdoud 0-4 Al-Ittihad

Telecast

India- Sony Sports Network

UK- No Telecast, Shahid

US- No Telecast, Shahid

Nigeria- No Telecast, Shahid