A highly anticipated clash in the Saudi Arabian football classic
On Saturday evening, all eyes of Saudi and Arab football fans will be on the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, the capital, which will host the highlight of the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League: the classic match between league leaders Al-Hilal and their traditional rivals Al-Ittihad. The match is of paramount importance to both teams. Al-Hilal aims to solidify their lead and move closer to reclaiming the title, while Al-Ittihad hopes for a morale-boosting victory that will restore confidence and improve their position in the standings.
Historical background and age-old rivalry
The Al-Hilal vs. Al-Ittihad derby is considered one of the oldest and fiercest rivalries in the history of Saudi and Asian football. This rivalry stretches back decades, with the two teams representing the two major poles of Saudi football: Al-Hilal from the capital, Riyadh, and Al-Ittihad from Jeddah. Their matches have always been characterized by intense competition, excitement, and massive fan attendance, and have witnessed the emergence of stars and legends who have left their mark on the history of both clubs and the Saudi national team. With the current boom in the Saudi Professional League (SPL) and the influx of international stars, the derby has acquired an international dimension and become a focus of widespread global attention and interest.
The importance of the match and its impact on the league's course
Al-Hilal enters the match enjoying an exceptional period under the leadership of their Portuguese coach, Jorge Jesus. They top the league table with 53 points and an unbeaten record, having achieved a historic winning streak. A victory in the derby would represent a significant step towards securing the title for Al-Hilal and send a strong message to all their rivals. On the other hand, Al-Ittihad, the defending champions, are experiencing an inconsistent season, currently sitting in seventh place with 37 points. Despite boasting world-class players like Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kanté, the team has suffered a decline in results. Therefore, the match represents an opportunity for Argentinian coach Marcelo Gallardo and his players to appease the fans and prove their ability to compete with the top teams. A victory against the league leaders could be a true turning point for the team this season.
Expected lineup for Al-Hilal club
Coach Jorge Jesus is expected to field the same starting lineup that led him to consecutive victories, relying on his potent attacking force. The likely lineup is as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou
- Defense: Saud Abdulhamid – Ali Al-Bulaihi – Kalidou Koulibaly – Yasser Al-Shahrani
- Midfield: Ruben Neves – Sergej Milinkovic-Savic – Salem Al-Dawsari
- Attackers: Malcom – Aleksandar Mitrovic – Michael Delgado
The expected lineup for Al-Ittihad Club
Meanwhile, coach Marcelo Gallardo is looking to select the optimal lineup capable of halting Al-Hilal's advance, focusing on securing the defense and relying on the experience of his international stars in midfield. The expected lineup could be:
- Goalkeeper: Abdullah Al-Muaiouf
- Defense line: Madallah Al-Olayan – Ahmed Hegazi – Hassan Kadesh – Fawaz Al-Saqour
- Midfield: N'Golo Kanté – Fabinho – Faisal Al-Ghamdi
- Attackers: Romarinho – Abderrazak Hamdallah – Karim Benzema
