King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah is preparing to host a crucial football match when defending champions Al-Ittihad take on Al-Fayha on Friday, in the 22nd round of the Saudi Professional League. The two teams enter the match with contrasting ambitions; Al-Ittihad aims to confirm their recent resurgence and get back on track in the league, while Al-Fayha hopes to continue their positive run of results to distance themselves further from the relegation zone.
General context and historical background
This encounter comes during an exceptional season for the Saudi League, which has captured global attention thanks to the presence of a constellation of international stars. Al-Ittihad, the reigning champions, are experiencing a period of inconsistent results that their fans did not anticipate, currently sitting in seventh place with 34 points. This position is unbecoming of the club's stature and history, and certainly not befitting the caliber of players they boast, such as French star Karim Benzema, his compatriot N'Golo Kanté, and Brazilian Fabinho. Despite a loss in the last league match, the team regained their confidence with a resounding victory in the AFC Champions League, a momentum they hope to capitalize on domestically.
Historically, the two teams have met 15 times in the Saudi Professional League, with Al-Ittihad holding the advantage, having won 8 matches compared to Al-Fayha's 4 victories, while 3 matches ended in a draw. The statistics clearly demonstrate Al-Ittihad's attacking dominance, having scored 29 goals against Al-Fayha, compared to 14 goals scored by the latter.
The importance of the match and its expected impact
This match is of paramount importance to both sides. For Al-Ittihad, a win means more than just three points; it would signal a genuine return to contention for the top spots that qualify them for continental competitions next season. Any further setback could increase the pressure on the team and coaching staff, complicating their task of salvaging the season. The team is relying on the experience of its international players and the scoring prowess of its star striker, Moroccan Abderrazak Hamdallah, to decide the match.
In contrast, Al-Fayha enters the match with high morale after securing three victories in their last four matches, propelling them to eleventh place with 23 points and distancing themselves somewhat from the relegation battle. Al-Fayha understands that a positive result in Jeddah, whether a win or a draw, would provide a significant morale boost and solidify their position in the comfortable mid-table standings. The team is relying on its key players, such as the speedy Zambian striker Fashion Sakala and the experienced Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic, to achieve a favorable outcome.
