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

Saudi Pro League to resume with this battle post-October International break

The home side currently sits in second place in the Saudi Pro League. Al Taawoun can go top of the table if they are able to get the better of visitors, Al Ittihad. Before the International break stalled the games, The Wolves of Buraydah won 3-0 at home to Al Ta'ee. In that victory, they were 2-0 up by halftime while the third goal was scored by the hour mark.

Al Ittihad, the defending champions of the Saudi Pro League will be looking to reduce the gap between the top. Currently, Nuno Espírito Santo's men sit in fourth place in the league and four points below league leaders Al Hilal. They are going into this game after a 1-0 loss against Matthias Jaissle's Al Ahli Saudi. A win will place them above Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr and Al Taawoun in the second position.

Kick-Off:

Friday, 20 October at 4:00 PM UK (8:30 PM IST)

Location: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium

Form

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

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

Players to watch in Al Taawoun vs Al Ittihad

Álvaro Medrán (Al Taawoun)

In the last game for Al Taawoun, the 29-year-old was central to every goal scored against Al Ta'ee. For the opener, he set up Musa Barrow in the 11th minute. Just two minutes later provided an assist to João Pedro Pereira dos Santos. Finally, Álvaro Medrán netted a goal himself in the 57' minute mark. The central midfielder has 5 assists this season and is tied with Ronaldo and Mourad Batna as the assists leaders.

Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad)

The French centre-forward made his return in the Al Ahli loss. Previously he had missed four games for Al Ittihad in all competitions. But as the former Real Madrid forward played the full 90 minutes, he should feature in this one without a doubt. Karim Benzema will be looking to add to his three-goal tally in the Saudi Pro League.

Match facts for Al Taawoun vs Al Ittihad

• A win for the host will take them to the top spot in the Saudi Pro League
• Al Taawoun are on a consecutive four-win run in all competitions
• A win for Al Ittihad will put them second and only behind Al Hilal in the league

Injury & team news for Al Taawoun vs Al Ittihad

The home side should start Musa Barrow who has scored a goal in each of the last three appearances for The Wolves in all competitions. Head coach Péricles Chamusca will look to keep much of the Al Taawoun lineup the same due to their impressive run.

Al Ittihad’s coach Nuno Espírito Santo has two players still out with ligament injuries. One is former West Brom centre-back Ahmed Hegazy and the other miss will be goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Jadani. Karim Benzema played the full 90 minutes last time out and should keep his place up top.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 29

Al Taawoun wins – 8

Al Ittihad wins – 15

Draws – 6

Predicted Lineup for Al Taawoun vs Al Ittihad

Al Taawoun predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Maylson (GK); Faqeehi, Al Ahmed, Girotto, Al Oyayari; Medran, El Mahdioui, Flavio; Barrow, Pereira dos Santos, Mateus

Al Ittihad predicted lineup (4-4-2):

Grohe (GK); Bamsaud, Kadesh, Felipe, Alolayan; Coronado, Fabinho, Kante, Romarinho; Hamdallah, Benzema

Match Prediction for Al Taawoun vs Al Ittihad

Al Taawoun and Al Ittihad have just the same performance in terms of goals scored and goals conceded. The only difference after nine league games is that the home side has a win more while the visitors have a defeat more to their name.

The Wolves have a good run backing them and confidence should be high. But the talents that are available at Al Ittihad's disposal after heavy recruitment in the summer can give them an advantage in any game. A narrow win for The Tigers could be the final outcome.

Prediction: Al Taawoun 1-2 Al Ittihad

Telecast details for Al Taawoun vs Al Ittihad

India – Sony Sports Network

UK – DAZN, Sky Sports

US –  ESPN

Nigeria – Sporty TV