Al-Ittihad is set to host Al-Riyadh on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, marking matchday 25 of the Saudi Pro League 2024-25 season. The home team is currently leading the league with 58 points, having recorded 18 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses from 24 matches. Meanwhile, Al-Riyadh sits at ninth place with 33 points after winning 9, drawing 6, and losing 9 matches this season.
Al-Ittihad faced Al-Qadisiah last round, ending the match with a disappointing 1-1 draw. This draw marked their third consecutive game without victory, raising concerns among fans who expect nothing short of success from their title challenge. The team's last win dates back several outings, hindering their momentum as the championship race heats up. Nonetheless, star striker Karim Benzema continues to be the focal point of their offense, having scored 16 goals this season, and will be integral to Al-Ittihad's success against Al-Riyadh.
On the other hand, Al-Riyadh managed to secure three points from their last match, narrowly defeating Al-Akhdoud 1-0 at home. This victory broke their streak of five winless games, which included three losses. Though Al-Riyadh is comfortably away from the relegation zone, they need to step up their performance to contend with stronger teams such as Al-Ittihad.
Head-to-head statistics reveal Al-Ittihad's dominance over Al-Riyadh. They have won all seven previous encounters without conceding any goals, establishing them as heavy favorites. Bookmakers have placed odds of 3/10 for Al-Ittihad to win, reflecting the disparity between the two squads. Expectations are high for another solid performance, with many analysts predicting they will score at least three goals, on average, based on their attacking prowess, which has seen them net 57 goals this season.
The match is expected to kick off at 00:30 IST on March 14, 2025, which corresponds to Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 19:00 GMT, 14:00 ET, and 11:00 PT. The venue, the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, will surely be alive with excitement as Al-Ittihad aims to regain their winning form.
Team lineups for the upcoming match are predicted as follows:
- Al-Ittihad: Rajkovic (GK); Al-Yami, Al-Mosa, Pereira, Muath; Kante, Fabinho; Diaby, Aouar, Bergwijn; Benzema.
- Al-Riyadh: Borjan (GK); Al-Khaibari, Kal, Barbet, Al-Nuweki; Alshehri, Toze, Bayesh; Lega, Selemani.
Benzema, known for his sharpshooting capabilities, will be watched closely by fans eager to see if he can add to his tally. Likewise, Ibrahim Bayesh is Al-Riyadh's top scorer with four goals this season and could play a pivotal role, but the visitors will need much more than just him to stand up to Al-Ittihad.
The form guide shows Al-Ittihad's last five matches as W-W-D-D-D, with Al-Riyadh's recent record standing at D-L-D-L-W. This uneven consistency could spell trouble for Al-Riyadh as they prepare for the intimidating challenge against the league leaders.
Fuelled by their previous successes over Al-Riyadh, Al-Ittihad fans will be optimistic about their chances this Thursday. Predictions favor the hosts for yet another win. Not only has Al-Ittihad remained unbeaten against Al-Riyadh, but they are also aiming to rekindle their championship ambitions with this match being pivotal for their title push.
Betting markets reflect these sentiments with the 'over 3.5 goals' bet attracting significant attention, offered at competitive odds. The goal tally might very well surpass this threshold, considering Al-Ittihad's attacking capabilities juxtaposed with Al-Riyadh's vulnerable defense.
To sum up, as the tension heats up for this midweek clash, the outcome looks favorable for the home side, putting them one step closer to solidifying their position at the summit of the table. Al-Ittihad versus Al-Riyadh promises not only to be a showcase of skill but also of resilience as both teams battle for varying reasons: one for glory and the other for survival and respect.