Preview: Al Ittihad vs Al Hazem - prediction, team news, lineups

Al Ittihad welcome Al Hazem to the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Friday for a matchday 27 clash in the Saudi Pro League.

The hosts are sixth in the table with 42 points from 26 matches, while the visitors are 10th with 31 points from 26 league games.

Match preview

Al Ittihad have endured a disastrous defence of their Saudi Pro League crown, having comfortably lifted the title in 2024-25 with an impressive 83 points and eight point lead over the runners-up.

Despite initially having a strong start to their league title defence, winning their first three Saudi Pro League games, the team struggled in other competitions, including losing in the Super Cup semi-final and losing in the AFC Champions League first round.

Those results, combined with a Saudi Pro League matchday four loss to Al Nassr, resulted in the dismissal of Lauren Blanc, with Sergio Conceicao subsequently appointed.

Conceicao has largely failed to overturn Al Ittihad's struggles, recording 16 wins, six draws and nine defeats from his 31 matches at the helm.

They have faced particular difficulties in recent weeks, suffering back-to-back league defeats, meaning they have fallen to sixth in the table, while they were also eliminated from the King's Cup semi-finals by Al Kholood last time out.

Eager to bounce back and start regaining momentum, especially ahead of their upcoming AFC Champions League round of 16 meeting with Al Wahda, Al Ittihad will be looking to take all three points against Al Hazem in the league on Friday.

In contrast to Al Ittihad, Friday's away side are enjoying a positive campaign as a whole, sitting 10th in the standings in their first season back in the top flight.

Al Hazem secured their promotion to the Saudi Pro League by winning the First Division promotion playoffs last term, and they have impressed upon their return.

Jalel Kadri has overseen eight wins, seven draws and 11 defeats from 26 league fixtures, leaving his side 10th with 31 points, a comfortable 12 points above the drop zone.

Looking to continue their superb campaign and finish as high up the table as possible, Al Hazem will be hopeful of ending their long wait for a win against Al Ittihad.

Al Hazem have failed to win in this fixture since a 2-1 triumph in October 2019, recording three draws and three defeats in the subsequent six meetings.

Al Ittihad Saudi Pro League form:

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Al Ittihad form (all competitions):

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Al Hazem Saudi Pro League form:

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Team News

Following the departure of Karim Benzema to Al Hilal, Steven Bergwijn is now Al Ittihad's top scorer in the league with five goals, and after scoring in their King's Cup match last time out, the hosts will be looking to the forward to make the difference again here.

Bergwijn is likely to be joined by Moussa Diaby, Houssem Aouar and Youssef En-Nesyri in attack, while captain Fabinho could partner Faisal Al-Ghamdi in midfield.

Meanwhile, after beating Al Kholood 2-1 in their last outing, Kadri may decide to name a similar side in this one.

Veteran striker Omar Al Somah should lead the line, with Fabio Martins playing just behind the forward.

Al Ittihad possible starting lineup:

Rajkovic; Shanqeeti, Pereira, Kadesh, Mitaj; Fabinho, Al-Ghamdi; Aouar, Bergwijn, Diaby; En-Nesyri

Al Hazem possible starting lineup:

Zaied; Rashed, Al-Dakheel, Boutouil, Al-Shamrani; Loreintz, Bah; Mokwana, Martins, Al-Habashi; Al Somah

We say: Al Ittihad 2-1 Al Hazem

Al Ittihad may be having an underwhelming season, but the hosts have dominated this fixture in recent times and certainly still have the quality to get over the line with a win.

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