Sports Mole previews Friday’s Saudi Pro League clash between Al Ittihad and Al-Hilal, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Al Ittihad will host Al-Hilal at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Friday evening in a blockbuster Saudi Pro League encounter.
Both sides are among the league’s early frontrunners, and with just one point separating them, this fixture promises to be one of the weekend’s standout clashes in Saudi Arabia’s top flight.
Match preview
Al Ittihad currently sit fifth in the Saudi Pro League standings with 10 points from five matches, having registered three wins, one draw, and one defeat so far.
Their campaign has been marked by inconsistency, but there are signs that Sergio Conceicao’s men could rediscover their rhythm, having won their opening three matches of the season.
The Tigers produced an impressive display earlier in the week, claiming a commanding 4-1 away victory over Al Shorta in the AFC Champions League.
That win showcased their attacking flair and offered a much-needed morale boost ahead of this heavyweight contest.
With 11 goals scored and seven conceded in the league, Al Ittihad have shown both offensive sharpness and defensive vulnerability.
Their home form, however, remains an area for concern, as they have won just one of their two matches at the King Abdullah Sports City so far.
Conceicao’s side will now aim to build momentum on home soil and deliver a statement performance against a title rival.
The Portuguese coach’s tactical adaptability has been evident in recent games, and his side’s ability to transition quickly could prove key against Al Hilal’s high defensive line.
Al-Hilal, meanwhile, head into this fixture in excellent form. Simone Inzaghi’s men are unbeaten in the league and occupy fourth place with 11 points from their opening five matches – three wins and two draws.
The Blue Waves underlined their dominance in their last league outing, cruising to a 5-0 victory over Al Ettifaq.
With 15 goals scored and six conceded – the second-best attacking record behind Al Nassr – Al-Hilal continue to look like serious title contenders.
Their confidence is further boosted by a 3-1 midweek win over Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League, where Yusuf Akcicek, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic all found the net.
That result extended their unbeaten streak to nine games across all competitions, during which they have scored 15 goals in their last five matches.
Inzaghi’s men have also proven they can perform away from home, taking four points from two road games this season. Their organisation, tactical discipline, and clinical finishing make them formidable opponents in any venue.
Historically, the head-to-head record between the two sides is narrowly in Al-Hilal’s favour, with three wins from their last five meetings compared to Al Ittihad’s two. However, it was Al Ittihad who claimed a convincing 4-1 victory in their most recent clash – a result that will give them belief heading into this one.
Al Ittihad Saudi Pro League form:
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Al Ittihad form (all competitions):
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Al-Hilal Saudi Pro League form:
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Al-Hilal form (all competitions):
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Team News
Karim Benzema may not have scored in his last two outings, but the French striker remains central to Al Ittihad’s attacking plans, having already netted three goals in three Saudi League appearances this season.
Danilo Pereira is available for selection after his red card in the AFC Champions League, which does not affect domestic fixtures.
However, defender Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti remains a doubt with a muscle injury.
For Al-Hilal, Joao Cancelo is still sidelined with a hamstring issue and will not feature.
Star winger Salem Al Dawsari also misses out due to a hip problem, though his absence is expected to be short-term.
Suhayb Al Zaid continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury sustained in May and is not expected back until early 2026.
In attack, Darwin Nunez and Marcos Leonardo are set to lead the line as Al-Hilal look to extend their unbeaten run against a motivated Al Ittihad side.
Al Ittihad possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Al-Julaydan, Al-Mousa, Pereira, Simic; Kante, Aouar, Fabinho; Diaby, Benzema, Bergwijn
Al-Hilal possible starting lineup:
Bono; Hernandez, Koulibaly, Al-Harbi, Akcicek; Malcom, Milinkovic-Savic, Neves, Al Dawsari; Leonardo, Nunez
We say: Al Ittihad 1-2 Al-Hilal
Al-Hilal enter this match in formidable form, combining defensive stability with attacking fluidity. Al Ittihad may take confidence from their recent continental win, but Inzaghi’s men possess the quality and momentum to edge this contest.
Expect a competitive encounter, but the visitors’ superior cohesion and firepower should see them claim all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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