Al-Ittihad Vs Al Riyadh

Al Ittihad will aim to return to winning ways and extend their lead at the top of the Saudi Pro League table when they welcome Al Riyadh to the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium on Thursday. Sitting four points clear at the summit following a series of draws, the hosts are determined to reestablish their dominance. Meanwhile, their opponents, currently in ninth place, come into this encounter following a crucial victory that has bolstered their confidence.

As the season progresses, Al Ittihad remains steadfast in their pursuit of their 10th Saudi Pro League title. Having finished fifth in their previous campaign, the Jeddah-based club has showcased immense consistency throughout the 2024-25 season. Their ability to remain among the top two for the majority of the campaign underscores the effectiveness of Laurent Blanc’s tactical approach and the depth of talent within the squad. With 58 points accumulated from 24 matches, they have demonstrated remarkable resilience, suffering just two defeats all season. Notably, they have maintained an impressive record in recent months, having lost only once in their last 20 outings since late September.

Last month, Al Ittihad embarked on a remarkable run of four consecutive victories, reinforcing their credentials as title contenders. However, their momentum has slightly slowed in recent weeks, with the team being held to three successive draws. The first of these stalemates occurred against Al Khaleej, followed by another frustrating result against Al Okhdood. Their most recent outing saw them share the spoils with Al Quadisiya in yet another 1-1 draw, marking a trend of closely contested encounters.

Despite these minor setbacks, Al Ittihad’s fighting spirit remains unwavering. Their encounter with Al Quadisiya exemplified their resilience, as N’Golo Kante salvaged a crucial point with a dramatic 96th-minute equalizer. The match had taken a tense turn in stoppage time when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang appeared to have secured the win for Al Quadisiya. However, Kante’s late heroics ensured that Blanc’s side remained four points ahead of second-placed Al-Hilal with 10 matches left in the season. With the title race heating up, Al Ittihad is eager to return to winning ways, aiming for their 19th league triumph of the campaign to reaffirm their superiority.

On the other hand, Al Riyadh approaches this contest with renewed optimism, seeking to build on their recent success. Having endured a challenging spell, the visitors secured a morale-boosting win last weekend, which marked a much-needed turnaround in form. The 2024-25 season has been a mixed bag for Al Riyadh, who finished 14th in the previous campaign. They made a strong start to the current season, demonstrating significant improvement as they positioned themselves in seventh place by the end of January, accumulating 28 points from their first 18 matches. During this period, they registered eight victories while suffering only six defeats, highlighting their potential to compete with the league’s top sides.

However, February and early March proved to be difficult months for Sabri Lamouchi’s men. Their form took a significant dip, as they failed to secure a single win in five consecutive matches. This slump included three defeats at the hands of Al Kholood, Al Raed, and Al Quadisiya, while they managed to salvage draws against Al-Hilal and Al Fayha. As a result, they dropped out of the top eight, putting their ambitions for a strong league finish in jeopardy.

Determined to halt their downward trajectory, Al Riyadh entered their clash against Al Okhdood last Saturday with a clear objective: to reignite their winning form. Their efforts bore fruit, as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory courtesy of a late strike from Sekou Lega, who found the net five minutes from time. This crucial win provided a much-needed morale boost, propelling them into ninth place. They now sit just one point behind eighth-placed Al-Taawoun and two points adrift of seventh-placed Al Ettifaq, keeping their hopes of finishing in the top half of the table alive.

Heading into Thursday’s encounter, Al Riyadh will be motivated to claim another significant scalp and string together back-to-back league victories for the first time since December. The challenge ahead is formidable, as they face an Al Ittihad side determined to reassert their dominance at the top of the standings. However, given their recent upturn in form, they will approach the fixture with confidence, aiming to capitalize on any vulnerabilities displayed by their high-flying opponents.

Al Ittihad’s home advantage at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium is expected to play a crucial role in their quest for three points. Their attacking lineup, featuring seasoned stars like Kante and Aubameyang, possesses the quality to break down even the most resilient defenses. Additionally, their defensive unit, which has been relatively solid throughout the season, will need to remain vigilant against Al Riyadh’s counter-attacking threats.

For Al Riyadh, much will depend on their ability to maintain defensive discipline while exploiting attacking opportunities efficiently. Sabri Lamouchi will be keen to devise a strategy that allows his side to stifle Al Ittihad’s attacking flow while capitalizing on set-piece situations and counter-attacks. If they can execute their game plan effectively, they stand a chance of causing an upset and making a strong statement in their quest for a top-half finish.

Ultimately, Thursday’s showdown promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with contrasting aspirations. Al Ittihad seeks to pull further ahead in the title race, while Al Riyadh aims to build momentum and establish themselves as a formidable force in the league. With high stakes on the line, both sides are expected to bring their best performances, making for an exciting contest at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium.