Al Ittihad vs Abha: Predicted line-up, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Struggling Al-Ittihad will host Abha Club on Friday

Since the home team Al Ittihad have won all five of their head-to-head meetings, I believe that is why they are regarded as the favourite; alternatively, the away team is strong and can pull a surprise. The home team has only won two of the last five games that they have played, while the away team has won three of the last five.

Although the hosts are superior, based on their past performances, I don't think they can win by more than two goals here, even though their head-to-head record is 4-0 and 6-1 in the previous two years.

Kick-off: Friday (10/11/2023); 11:30 p.m. IST, 6:30 GMT

Al Ittihad form in all competitions: L-L-W-D-W

Abha club form in all competitions: W-W-W-L-D

Match facts

• Five of the past eight meetings have been won by Al Ittihad.
• Out of the last eight meetings, Abha Club has won three.
• Al Ittihad leads 20–8 in goal differential.

Players to watch

Al Ittihad: Karim Benzema

The Frenchman has been the top scorer of the Saudi side and despite the club's poor form he will hope to lead his side to win when they host Abha club on Saturday.

Abha Club: Karl Toko Ekambi

Ekambi has been surprising for Abha scoring four goals for the club he is just one short of matching Benema's tally this season and hopefully he will find the back of the net when they face Al Ittihad.

Head-to-head

7 straight victories for Al Ittihad. 3 games were won by Abha. No games resulted in a draw. In straight-up games, both sides scored 3.40 goals apiece on average.

Players and injury news

Al Ittihad have a long list of injuries with key players such as Fabinho, Igor, Aseel Abeed Mohammed Sharahili and Ahmed Hegazy currently recuperating. While Abha Club do not list injured players.

Predicted lineup

Al Ittihad Predicted lineup:

Muaiouf (GK), Alolayan, Omar, Kadesh, Bamasud, Romarinho, Kante, Ghamdi, Camara, Benzema, Jota

Abha Predicted lineup:

Tatarusanu (GK), Qumayzi, Nateq, Noguera, Oufi, Sudani, Krychowiak, Jumayah, Bguir, Ekambi, Abdu

Prediction for Al Ittihad vs Abha

Under Nuno Espirito Santo's direction, the defending champions Al Ittihad got off to a strong start in their Saudi championship defence but have subsequently slid down the table. The hosts enter this match fresh off a 1-0 loss to Al Shabab and a match against Al Quwa Al Jawiya in the AFC Champions League group stages in midweek.

After a few recent victories, Abha are currently a team that sits securely in the centre of the league. The visitors' 3-2 victory over recently promoted Al Akhdoud gave it a winning streak of two games. Given the home team's dismal performance, Abha will travel to Al Ittihad and compete, with both sides' chances of scoring appearing relatively high.

Prediction: Al Ittihad 3-1 Abha

Live Telecast details

USA: ESPN+

UK: Sky Sports

India: FanCode