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

Can the hosts upset the defending champions?

Al Feiha turned in a resilient team display in the King's Cup on Tuesday when they fought back from behind to claim a 2-1 victory over Al Riyadh in the second of their two successive league-and-cup meetings. After two back-to-back away wins, they return home, where they have managed just one win this season.

Al-Ittihad barely advanced to the round of 16 of the King's Cup, needing penalties to defeat a determined Al-Kholood team at the Al-Hazm Club Stadium on Tuesday. The Tigers have won 8 of their last 9 games, including their last 3 in the Professional League, where they now sit top of the table. With 18 points from a possible 21, Al-Ittihad are looking like the team to beat this season.

Kick-Off:

Friday, 29 September 2023 at 2:00 PM GMT (8:30 PM IST)

Location: King Fahd International Stadium

Form

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

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

Players to watch in Al Feiha vs Al-Ittihad:

Fashion Sakala (Al Feiha)

The former Rangers man was signed after his brilliant goal-scoring season in the Scottish League, he has now settled down in the Saudi league as well. The Zambian striker has scored 4 goals and 1 assist in 8 matches in all competitions. Sakala is a quick and powerful striker, and he is a threat to any defense on his day. He has the talent to be a top striker, and he is just a few goals away from hitting form for the team.

Romarinho (Al-Ittihad)

Al-Ittihad's top goalscorer Hamedallah (5 goals in 5 league appearances) is likely to miss the match. Romarinho, the veteran striker will play an advanced role in the upcoming match against Al Feiha. The Brazilian international has had a nice start to the season, in the 10 appearances that he has made this season, he has 11 goal contributions. Romarinho is one of the most experienced players in the Al-Ittihad squad, and he is a key player for the team.

Match facts:

• Al-Ittihad lead the points table with one point ahead of Al Hilal, Al Feiha sit on the 9th position in the points table.
• With 9 points from 7 league games Al Feiha are doing pretty much what everyone expected from them, Al-Ittihaf were not very convincing last time due to narrowly edging over Al Fateh 2-1 at home.
• Both the teams are coming from back-to-back wins in all competition.

Injury & team news

On the injury front, 24-year-old Al Harthi is a doubt for Al Feiha after coming off injured midway through the second half against Al Riyadh on Tuesday.  Al Abdulmonam could be rewarded with his first league start following a superb Kings Cup display in midweek.

Meanwhile, Al Ittihad will take to the pitch without Egyptian defender Ahmed Hegazy and the 32-year-old goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Jadani will miss the match due to injuries. Al-Ittihad's top goalscorer Hamedallah and Benzema are likely to miss the match.

Head to Head

Total matches – 14

Al Feiha wins – 5

Al-Ittihad wins – 8

Draws – 1

Predicted lineup for Al Feiha vs Al-Ittihad:

Al Feiha Predicted lineup:

Stojkovic; Al Baqawi, Khaibari, Al Rashidi, Konan; Ryller, Cimirot; Sabiri, Majrashi, Onyekuru; Sakala

Al-Ittihad Predicted lineup:

Al-Mayouf; Shanqeeti, Felipe, Kadesh, Al-Olaitan, Bamasud; Kante, Fabinho; Romarinho; Al-Amri, Camara

Match prediction for Al Feiha vs Al-Ittihad:

Al-Feiha will be looking to maintain their midweek form when they take on a high-flying Al-Ittihad side who have won their last four matches in all competitions. Al-Ittihad are also on a run of eight consecutive away wins, so Al-Feiha will have a tough task on their hands. They are a solid team, but they are not at the same level as Al-Ittihad. Al-Ittihad have a better squad and more experienced manager. They are also playing with a lot of confidence at the moment. Al-Feiha will need to be at their best if they want to get a result against Al-Ittihad.

Prediction: Al Feiha 1-3 Al-Ittihad

Telecast

India – Sony Liv, Sony Sports Network

UK – Sky Sports

US –  ESPN

Nigeria –  Sporty TV