On Tuesday evening, all eyes in Saudi Arabia will be on Al-Hazm Stadium in Ar Rass, the venue for a clash of contrasting ambitions. Al-Hazm will host defending champions Al-Ittihad in the tenth round of the Saudi Professional League. The two teams enter the match with different goals: Al-Ittihad aims to continue their title defense and improve their position in the standings, while Al-Hazm is fighting for every point to distance themselves from the relegation zone and secure their place in the top flight.
Historical background that works in favor of the Dean
When it comes to statistics and history, the scales clearly tip in favor of Al-Ittihad. The two teams have met 14 times previously in the Saudi Professional League, with Al-Ittihad winning nine matches, while Al-Hazm has only managed one victory, and four encounters ended in a draw. The goal-scoring record also reflects this dominance, with Al-Ittihad's attack netting 36 goals against Al-Hazm, compared to just 15 goals scored by Al-Hazm players against Al-Ittihad. This historical record gives Al-Ittihad players a significant morale boost and confidence before the opening whistle.
The importance of the match and its impact on the teams' trajectory
The match is of paramount importance to both clubs. For Al-Hazm, currently languishing near the bottom of the table with 24 points, a positive result against a team of Al-Ittihad's caliber would mean more than just three points; it would provide a massive morale boost in their fierce battle to avoid relegation. The team hopes to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to overcome their recent setback against Al-Nassr and return to winning ways. On the other hand, Al-Ittihad, sitting in sixth place with 38 points, enters the match with their sights set solely on three points. After an exceptional season in which they clinched the title, the team finds itself in a tight race this season against clubs that have bolstered their squads with world-class players, and any slip-up could prove costly in the pursuit of top spots and qualification for Asian competitions. They hope to build on their strong performance in their last match against Al-Hilal, which ended in a draw.
Dory Roshan in its new look
This encounter comes amidst an exceptional season for the Saudi League, which has captured global attention after attracting a large number of international football stars. This significant influx has noticeably raised the level of competition, making every match, including those between top and bottom teams, difficult and unpredictable. Al-Ittihad relies on a constellation of stars such as Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kanté, and Fabinho, while Al-Hazm pins its hopes on its foreign players and their ability to make a difference in this challenging match.
