Round 21 of the 2023-24 Saudi Pro League season continues on Monday as Al Ittihad play host to Al Wahda at the King Abdullah Sports City on Monday evening.
The hosts head into this match after a win on Thursday to advance into the AFC Champions League quarter-finals while the visitors drew their last league match.
Match preview
© Reuters
Al Ittihad secured their place in the AFC Champions League quarter-finals with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Navbahor on Thursday, following a goalless draw in the first leg.
They initially went behind in the 25th minute when Karim Benzema inadvertently put the ball into his own net. However, Abderrazak Hamdallah restored parity in stoppage time at the end of the first half.
With just three minutes remaining in regular time, Al Ittihad received a stroke of luck as Navbahor's Toma Tabatadze scored an own goal, securing a crucial qualification for Marcelo Gallardo's side.
The People's Club continued their impressive form in the domestic league with a 2-0 victory against Al-Riyadh, keeping them in fifth place with 34 points from 20 matches.
Next, they face a home fixture against Al-Wahda, a team they have enjoyed dominance over, winning their last six encounters.
Al-Wahda returned to league action this year, drawing 1-1 with relegation-threatened Al-Tai last Friday.
Despite Jawad El Yamiq putting Giorgos Donis's side ahead in the 72nd minute, they conceded a late equaliser from Andrei Cordea in the 98th minute.
Consequently, the Knights of Mecca remain in ninth place, six points clear of the relegation zone with 14 games to play.
Facing a challenging away match on Monday, Al-Wahda will be hoping to break their three-game away winless streak, having conceded five goals without scoring in those matches.
Team News
© Reuters
Ahmed Bamsaud, Ahmed Sharahili and Abdullah Al-Jadaani are all dealing with cruciate ligament tears and will be absent for the hosts.
Luiz Felipe is unlikely to feature due to a muscle tear, while Muhannad Al-Shanqeeti could return near the end of the month after previously sustaining an unknown injury.
Center-back Omar Hawsawi is also out with an injury that is expected to keep him out until the end of this month.
For the visitors, left Winger Hussain Al-Eisa has been out since December with Inguinal hernia, with his return date unknown at the moment.
Odion Ighalo led the line last time out and is expected to retain his spot on Monday, as he looks to add to his nine league goals this season.
Al Ittihad possible starting lineup:
Al-Mayouf; Al-Sqoor, Hegazi, Kadesh, Al-Olayan; Kante, Fabinho; A. Al-Ghamdi, F. Al-Ghamdi; Hamdallah, Benzema
Al Wahda possible starting lineup:
El Kajoui; Makki, Al-Hafith, El Yamiq, Bukhari; Fajr, Bakshween; Naji, Al-Hejji, Van Crooij; Ighalo
We say: Al Ittihad 2-0 Al Wahda
Al Ittihad have begun this year on a positive note, picking up two wins from two league matches, while they also recorded a morale-boosting victory in the Champions League. The hosts have been dominant in this fixture and we think this dominance will continue on Monday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
