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

Published at :November 1, 2023 at 1:58 PM

Modified at :January 14, 2024 at 12:53 AM

In just 11 matchdays, the defending Champions are 8 points away from the top

Al Shabab currently sit in the eleventh position of the Saudi Pro League. After 11 games, they have seen 5 defeats. The rest six that earned them points on the table are split equally with 3 wins and 3 draws. Under Igor Bišćan who was appointed in mid-October, the White Lions of Riyadh have 2 victories in 3 games in all competitions.

Manager Nuno Espírito Santo may be distraught by the sight of seeing his side 8 points below current league leaders after just 11 games played. Al Ittihad had won the 2022-23 Saudi Pro League title. Even after completing a host of special summer signings that includes 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, things don’t seem quite on track.

Kick-Off:

Friday, 3 November 2023 at 11:30 PM IST

Location: King Fahd International Stadium

Form

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

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

Players to Watch

Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab)

Head coach Igor Bišćan will be pleased with the brace Yannick Carrasco scored in the Round of 16 of the King Cup of Champions. It is because of Carrasco’s efforts that helped edge Al Fateh 2-1 and reach the quarter-finals. In the Saudi Pro League, in just 5 appearances, Carrasco has a tally of 3 assists and a goal.

Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad)

Al-Akhdoud vs Al-Ittihad: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast — **Karim Benzema won the Ballon d’Or in 2022**

The French forward has scored in 3 of the last 4 games played in all competitions for Al Ittihad. Karim Benzema has scored 5 goals in 9 league appearances. He has also provided 3 assists in the league as well. In the King Cup of Champions Round of 16 clash against Al Feiha, Benzema scored in added time to win 3-0.

Match Facts

Out of the 19 goals conceded in the Saudi Pro League, Al Shabab conceded 5 of those from penalties this season
Al Ittihad have managed to keep 6 clean sheets in 11 league games. It is the highest in the competition as of now
Both sides have won 2 games in all competitions from their last 5 fixtures

Injury & Team News

Al Shabab is all clear in terms of injury. Head coach Igor Bišćan will surely include talisman Yannick Carrasco. Carrasco’s brace helped get past Al Fateh in the Round of 16 of the King Cup of Champions. Ever Banega who was handed a substitute role last game, should be back in the starting lineup.

Al Ittihad’s striking pair of Karim Benzema and Abderrazak Hamdallah scored 3 goals against Al Feiha to help them move into the quarter-finals of the King Cup of Champions. Nuno Espírito Santo should once again use the same duo up front against Al Shabab. Centre-back Ahmed Hegazy is still healing from a Cruciate ligament injury and should not be back until the year’s end.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 21

Al Shabab wins – 5

Al Ittihad wins – 12

Draws – 4

Predicted Lineup for Al Shabab vs Al Ittihad

Al Shabab predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Kim (GK); Al Yami, Santos, Saiss, Al-Sibyani; Alqahtani, Cuellar, Banega; Bahbri, Diallo, Carrasco

Al Ittihad predicted lineup (3-5-2):

Grohe (GK); O. Hawsani, Kadesh, Felipe; Al-Shanqeeti, Kante, Coronado, Al-Farhan, Bamsaud; Hamdallah, Benzema

Match Prediction for Al Shabab vs Al Ittihad

Both teams have recorded 2 wins in their respective last 5 games in all competitions. Al Shabab could be a tricky opponent for the visitors, Al Ittihad. New head coach, Igor Bišćan will try to make it to 3 wins in the 4 games he managed. But given the quality of players Al Ittihad have, it is hard to hand the home side an easy win. Both teams can settle for a draw.

Prediction: Al Shabab 2-2 Al Ittihad

Telecast for Al Shabab vs Al Ittihad

India – Sony Sports Network

UK – DAZN, Sky Sports

US – ESPN

Nigeria – Sporty TV

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