Key Highlights
Al Ittihad
Al Ittihad opened their Saudi Pro League campaign away to Al Kholood, winning the match narrowly 0-1.
The match looked like it was headed for a draw before the intervention of Houssem Aouar in the fourth minute of extra time changed the match in favor of Al Ittihad.
Al Ittihad, led by Karim Benzema and Houssem Aouar, dominated the ball. Fabinho and Kante set the tempo of the match in midfield, with Al Ghamdi and Diaby offering width with their runs in wide areas.
However, Al Ittihad lacked the spark in the attacking end to open up the opposition and create chances. This struggle is highlighted by the fact that Al Ittihad had 11 shots overall and one on target.
Al Taawoun
Al Taawoun made a winning start to the Saudi Pro League season in a tough encounter against Al Feyha.
The clash was finely balanced between the two sides, with Al Taawoun recording ten shots and four on target compared to Al Fayha’s eight shots and three on target.
The match was even at 0-0 for large swathes of the match, with the hosts winning it in the 5th minute of extra time via a strike by Abdulfattah Adam Ahmed Mohamed, to win the match.
Al Taawoun will look to iron out some of the challenges they faced in the opening match after dominating the match with 64% of the ball while managing just four shots on target.
Injury Report
Neither side has reported injury issues emanating from the first round of fixtures in the Saudi Pro League or the intervening period.
Team News
Laurent Blanc is expected to keep faith with an attack led by Karim Benzema and Houssem Aouar through the middle and flanked by Diaby and Al Ghamdi. This dynamic attack is expected to play with freedom, create overloads, and open up the Al Taawoun defense.
Al Taawoun will rely on their striker Sakala to lead the line as the lone up-front target man supported by Pereira dos Santos. The link-up play between the two players will be crucial in creating chances.
Prediction
Al Ittihad will be the favorites to dominate this match and ask questions of the opposition’s defense. Al Taawoun will focus on a pragmatic and compact approach to make it difficult for al Ittihad to create chances.
Al Ittihad will win the home match and make it consecutive wins to start their Saudi Pro League season.
