MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 03:46:30| >> :600:114118:114118:
[monks data]
Saudi Pro League | Gameweek 7
Sep 21, 2023 at 7pm UK
King Abdullah Sports City

Al Ittihad
2 - 1
Al Fateh

Romarinho (38'), Kante (45+1')
Kadesh (12'), Romarinho (53'), Alolayan (90+5')
FT(HT: 2-1)
Saadane (30')
Sadiq Alhassan (9'), Saadane (67'), Al Saeed (82')

Preview: Al Ittihad vs. Al Fateh - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Saudi Pro League clash between Al Ittihad and Al Fateh, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Fresh off the back of an opening-day victory in the new AFC Champions League campaign, Al Ittihad play host to Al Fateh in round seven of the Saudi Professional League on Thursday.

Having failed to win any of the last five meetings between the sides since March 2021, the Role Model journey to the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium looking to get one over the hosts and make it three victories on the bounce.


Match preview

Al Ittihad coach Nuno Espirito Santo on January 26, 2023© Reuters

Al Ittihad got their 2023-24 AFC Champions League campaign off to a flyer as they picked up a 3-0 home victory over Uzbekistan outfit FC AGMK in the Group C curtain-raiser on Monday.

It was a tale of two halves at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium as a first-half brace from Romarinho and Haroune Camara's 11th-minute strike were enough to condemn the visitors to an opening-day defeat.

Nuno Espirito Santo's men now turn their attention to the Professional League, where they returned to winning ways on September 14 when they beat Al Akhdood courtesy of a second-half effort from Karim Benzema.

Prior to that, the Tigers saw their 100% record in the new Saudi top-flight campaign come to an end when they lost 4-3 at the hands of Al-Hilal on September 1 to end their four-match winning streak.

With 15 points from the opening six matches, Al Ittihad are currently second in the Professional League standings, level on points with third-placed Al-Ahli and one behind league leaders Al-Hilal.

Al Fateh, on the other hand, picked up successive wins for the first time this season when they thrashed Al-Khaleej 3-1 at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium last Friday.

Moroccan midfielder Mourad Batna scored a first-half brace to set the visitors on their way and after Sofiane Bendebka added a third in the 66th minute, Fabio Martins pulled one back for Al-Khaleej with a late penalty.

This followed a 5-1 hammering of 10-man Al-Ahli at the Prince Abdullah Bin Jalawi Stadium on September 2 courtesy of goals from Firas Al-Buraikan, Lucas Zelarayan, Sofiane Bendebka and a brace from Batna.

With last Friday's result, Al Fateh are now unbeaten in their three away games this season, picking wins over Al-Akhdood and Al-Khaleej, with a 2-2 draw against Damac on August 29 sandwiched between the two victories.

Slaven Bilic's men have picked up three wins from their opening six matches while losing once and claiming two draws to collect 11 points and sit seventh in the league table, but could rise into fourth place with all three points on Thursday.

Al Ittihad Saudi Pro League form:


Al Ittihad form (all competitions):


Al Fateh Saudi Pro League form:


Team News

Al-Ittihad new signing Karim Benzema waves to fans as he holds the Ballon d'Or trophy during his presentation on June 7, 2023© Reuters

Al Ittihad remain without the services of Egyptian defender Ahmed Hegazy, who has been out of action since coming off with a cruciate ligament rupture back in May.

He is joined on the club's injury table by 32-year-old goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Jadani, who also continues his lengthy spell on the sidelines through an ACL injury.

Morocco international Abderrazak Hamdallah was forced off injured on the stroke of half time against AGMK on Monday and is a major doubt for the Tigers.

Romarinho has been one of the standout performers for Al Ittihad this season and the Brazilian forward, who has six goal involvements in his last five matches, will be one to look out for.

Meanwhile, Al Fateh will have to cope without Al-Nassr loanee Ali Mukhtar, who will serve a one-game suspension after picking up a red card against Al-Khaleej last time out.

In his absence, veteran midfielder Mohammed Al-Fuhaid will push for his first start of the season, forming the midfield trio with Sofiane Bendebka and 23-year-old Abbas Sadiq Alhassan.


Al Ittihad possible starting lineup:
Al-Mayouf; Shanqeeti, Hawsawi, Sharahili, Kadesh, Bamasud; Kante, Fabinho; Romarinho; Al-Amri, Camara

Al Fateh possible starting lineup:
Rinne; Buhumaid, Denayer, Saadane, Baattia; Bendebka, Alhassan, Al-Fuhaid; Zelarayan, Tello, Batna


SM words green background

We say: Al Ittihad 3-1 Al Fateh

Al Fateh have put together a fine run of results in recent weeks but are now faced with a difficult challenge of a sterner and more formidable opposition in Al Ittihad. The Tigers have enjoyed the better of this fixture, going unbeaten in 16 of their last 20 meetings, and we fancy them claiming all three points in front of their home supporters.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data


ID:524434:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12143:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Al Ittihad vs Al Fateh

Al Ittihad
95.7%
Draw
4.3%
Al Fateh
0.0%
23
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Celtic's Jota celebrates scoring their first goal with Matt O'Riley on April 2, 2023
Read Next:
Spurs considering Jota move?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Al-HilalAl-Hilal98102471725
2Al Ittihad98012281424
3Al-Nassr95402081219
4Al ShababAl Shabab9603126618
5Al Quadisiya9513117416
6Al Riyadh94231314-114
7Al Khaleej94141011-113
8Al-TaawounAl-Taawoun9333109112
9Al-AhliAl-Ahli9324129311
10Al RaedAl Raed93241313011
11Al Ettifaq9324812-411
12Al Orubah9315919-1010
13Al Okhdood92251113-28
14Damac92251316-38
15Al Kholood91441217-57
16Al Fayha9144717-107
17Al WahdaAl Wahda91351224-126
18Al Fateh9126716-95


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!