Saudi football fans will be glued to their screens on Friday evening as Al-Ittihad travels to King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Buraidah to face Al-Kholoud in a crucial match for the 14th round of the Saudi Professional League. This game holds particular significance for both sides, given the intense competition in the standings and each team's desire to improve their position before the decisive stages of the season.
Divergent ambitions and a battle for points
Al-Kholoud enters the match hoping to pull off a major upset and secure a positive result against one of the giants of Saudi football. Al-Kholoud currently sits in twelfth place with 12 points, accumulated from four wins and eight losses. The team is experiencing a morale boost after recently returning to winning ways with a resounding victory over Al-Fayha, giving its players a strong incentive to deliver a heroic performance, taking advantage of playing at home in front of their fans and with a full squad available.
In contrast, Al-Ittihad enters the match in sixth place with 23 points, having regained its form remarkably in recent rounds. The club has achieved four consecutive victories, the most recent being an important win against Al-Taawoun, and the Tigers will be aiming for their fifth straight win tomorrow to close the gap on the leading clubs and seriously compete for continental qualification spots.
Star-studded squad and impactful absences
On the technical side, Al-Ittihad boasts a squad brimming with world-class names, giving them a clear edge on paper. The team relies on its French captain Karim Benzema, his compatriots Moussa Diaby and N'Golo Kanté, as well as Serbian goalkeeper Rajković, Dutchman Steven Bergwijn, and Brazilian Fabinho. Despite this impressive lineup, the team is missing its Algerian professional Houssem Aouar due to injury, and Malian Mamadou Doumbia, who is on international duty with his national team.
As for Al-Kholoud, it depends on the collective performance and brilliance of its professionals, and its ranks include Argentine goalkeeper Juan Cusani, experienced Nigerian defender William Ekong, Englishman John Buckley, and Comorian striker Meziani Maoulida, who form the backbone of the team’s lineup.
History of confrontations and context of the competition
Historically, the two teams have met only twice before in the Saudi Professional League, with Al-Ittihad narrowly prevailing on both occasions, winning 1-0 and 4-3. This indicates that Al-Kholoud has always been a formidable opponent for Al-Ittihad, despite the technical differences. This match comes amidst the significant development witnessed in the Saudi League, where matches between mid-table and top-tier clubs have become highly competitive, and results are no longer predetermined. This adds to the excitement of the upcoming encounter and its impact on the overall league standings.
