With five points separating them inside the top four of the Saudi Pro League, Al Riyadh will welcome Al Ittihad to the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Thursday. Kickoff is slated for 19:00 GMT+1.
Key Highlights
Al Riyadh
Al Riyadh are on a two-match winning run in the Saudi Pro League, beating Al Qadsiah (2-1) and Al Okhdood (0-1).
In their last two back-to-back wins, Al Riyadh has shown diverse ways of winning matches. In their win over Al Qadsiah, they had just 30% of the ball playing in front of the home fans, showing a pragmatic approach. Nonetheless, they had 11 attempted shots to the visitors’ 17, with six of them on target to the visitors’ eight.
Al Riyadh repeated this trick in their 0-1 win away to Al Okhood, having 37% of the ball but matching the hosts’ eight attempted shots and three shots on target.
Al Riyadh’s style and approach to matches pose significant challenges to their opponents. They dominate the ball without posing significant danger in the final third. They will look to repeat this approach when they face in-form Al-Ittihad.
Al Ittihad
Al Ittihad are hot on the heels of leaders Al Hilal, winning six times and losing once en route to 18 points so far this season, three behind perfect Al Hilal. They have won their last three matches, showing a brilliant turn of form.
After their 3-1 defeat away to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, Al Ittihad have responded in style in all competitions. In the subsequent four matches, Al Ittihad have scored 12 goals and conceded four times; they have kept a solitary clean sheet in this run, in the King Cup of Champions clash against Al Ain, which ended in a 3-0 victory.
Al Ittihad have shown signficant firepower in the final third, which is the driving force behind their success this season.
Al Ittihad will look to extend their good form as they go one-on-one away to Al Riyadh
Injury Report
Neither side has reported fresh injury worries ahead of their clash on Thursday.
Team News
The midfield trio of Toze, Mensha, and Kal is central to Al Riyadh’s defensive solidity and attacking dynamism. Playing with a five-man defense, the three midfielders will support the defense when out of possession while attacking when they have the ball.
Karim Benzema, who has scored for Al Ittihad in their last two wins, is in line to start the match leading the line for the visitors. The Frenchman has shown flashes of form in recent matches, which Al Ittihad will hope to leverage as they are locked in a top-of-the-table fight with Al Hilal.
Prediction
Al Ittihad are in a good run of form and are favored to win the match and take the three points.
