AFC Champions League: Al Hilal vs Al Ittihad: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Published at :March 3, 2024 at 2:30 PM

Modified at :March 3, 2024 at 2:30 PM

The Quarter finals of the AFC Champions League are set to be underway

Al-Hilal are poised to extend their campaign in the AFC Champions League as they prepare to face fellow rivals Al Ittihad at the Kingdom Arena in the first leg of the Quarter Final on Tuesday. Holding a psychological edge over their opponents, Al Hilal recently secured a 3-1 victory against Ittihad. Under the management of Jorge Jesus, the team is currently enjoying an extraordinary 25-match winning streak in all competitions, with their last non-victory dating back to mid-September when they settled for a 1-1 draw against Damak.

Despite Al Ittihad undergoing a transitional phase with the introduction of Argentine coach Marcelo Gallardo, who has experienced a mixed start in the Middle East, he is determined to present a formidable challenge to Al Hilal in the upcoming first-leg encounter.

Kick-Off:

Tuesday, 5th March 2024, 11:30 PM (IST), 06:00 PM (GMT), 01:00 PM (EST)

Stadium: Kingdom Arena

Form

Al Hilal Form (All Competitions): W-W-W-W-W

Al Ittihad Form (All Competitions): L-W-W-W-D

Players to Watch

Sergej Milinković-Savić (Al Hilal)

Sergej showcases remarkable mobility and a fantastic work ethic on the field. His aerial dominance is evident, complemented by quick footwork and a sharp footballing intellect. Noteworthy is his adeptness in dropping deep to collect the ball from the centre-backs, with his skilled dribbling serving as a significant asset for rapid advancement up the pitch. His ability to shield off defenders during possession retrieval adds another layer to his game.

Constantly surveying the field and remaining aware of his teammates’ positions, Sergej engages in seamless combination play with his full-back and winger, facilitating a swift transition from the midfield to the attacking third by expertly selecting the right passes.

Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad)

Benzema, functioning as a versatile striker, exhibits a diverse range of finishing techniques that contribute to his ability to score goals across various scenarios. His striking technique is noteworthy, allowing him to generate substantial power without compromising accuracy, all while maintaining impeccable balance. A key strength lies in his exceptional positioning, as he consistently eludes close marking by central defenders through constant and intelligent movement. This dynamic style ensures that Benzema remains a challenging force for opposing defenders to contain.

Match Facts

In the Saudi Pro League, Al-Hilal have 10 successive home wins.
Al-Ittihad FC’s last away win against Al-Hilal was in 2016.
In a recent fixture, Al Hilal defeated Al Ittihad by a 3-1 scoreline.

Injury and Team News

Neymar has been sidelined for the rest of the season by Al Hilal due to an ACL tear. Additionally, Hassan Tambakti, Muteb Al-Mufarrij, Mohammed Al Owais, and Mohammed Al Burayk are recovering from various injuries.

Fawaz Al-Sqoor, Ahmed Bamsaud, and Muhannad Shanqeeti are on the list of injured players for Al Ittihad.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 44

Al Hilal: 25

Al Ittihad: 6

Draws: 13

Predicted Lineup for Al Hilal vs Al Ittihad

Al Hilal Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Bounou(GK); Abdulhamid, Koulibaly, Albulayhi, Lodi, Milinkovic-Savic, Neves, Al-Faraj; Malcolm, Mitrovic, Al-Dawsari

Al Ittihad Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):

Maiouf(GK); Al-Sahafi, Al-Manhali, Hegazy, Hawsawi; Kante, Fabinho, Al-Farhan; Romarinho, Benzema, Hamdullah

Match Prediction for Al Hilal vs Al Ittihad

Al-Hilal have displayed an outstanding performance this season, remaining the sole team in the Saudi top flight that has yet to suffer a defeat in league matches. While Al Ittihad have shown improvement since the break, Al Hilal is expected to emerge victorious in this upcoming fixture.

Prediction: Al Hilal 2-1 Al Ittihad

Telecast

India- FanCode

UK- No telecast

US- Paramount+

Nigeria- No telecast

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