Round 18 of the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season sees Al Ittihad play host to Al Raed at the Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium on Saturday.
Both sides have blown hot and cold in recent weeks and will be looking to string together a decent run of results heading into this weekend's clash.
Match preview
© Reuters
Al Ittihad were dumped out of the FIFA Club World Cup following a 3-1 defeat to African champions Al Ahly at the King Abdullah Sports City on Friday.
Goals from Ali Maaloul, Hussein El Shahat and Emam Ashour left Marcelo Gallardo's men with a mountain to climb after which Karim Benzema pulled one back in second-half stoppage time.
The Tigers were beaten 3-1 by Damac in their last league outing, which saw them drop to sixth in the Saudi Pro League table, four points off the last continental place.
Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are yet to emerge victorious from any of the last 10 meetings between the teams since 2019.
Having scored a whopping 10 goals across their last three home games, Saturday's hosts will be aiming to put on another attacking masterclass in front of their fans.
Al Raed were beaten for the first time in three outings as they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Damac at the King Abdullah Stadium on Friday.
Igor Jovicevic's men fell behind to Georges-Kevin N'Koudou's opener three minutes shy of half time, and that turned out to be the all-important moment.
With 13 points amassed from 17 matches so far, the Buraidah-based side sit bottom but one in the standings, three points adrift of safety.
Still yet to record a win away from home this term, Saturday's visitors have it all to do as they look to avoid another fruitless outing on the road.
Team News
Karim Benzema has netted six times in his last six matches for Al Ittihad across all competitions, making him one to keep an eye on here.
Defender Luiz Felipe is a major injury doubt for the home side this weekend, having missed the last two matches with a muscle problem.
Amir Sayoud was hauled off with an injury scare of Al Raed's defeat to Damac last time out, and the midfielder is likely to miss out here.
Should Sayoud be deemed unfit to participate, Julio Tavares is expected to return to the lineup what would be only a first starting appearance of the month.
Al Ittihad possible starting lineup:
Grohe; Kadesh, Hawsawi, Al Shanqiti; Al Hawsawi, Al Ghamdi, Kante, Al Sahafi; Coronado, Hamdallah, Al Amri
Al Raed possible starting lineup:
Moreira; Al Jayzani, Loum, Gonzalez, Al Rajeh, Al Dossary; Fouzair, Normann, Al Subaie; Tavares, El Berkaoui
We say: Al Ittihad 3-1 Al Raed
Al Ittihad have been imperious on home turf recently, and it is hard to envisage any other outcome than a win for them. We can see the hosts cruising to all three points at the end of the 90 minutes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Adepoju Marvellous
