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Saudi Pro League | Gameweek 3
Sep 15, 2024 at 7pm UK
King Abdullah Sports City

Al Ittihad
7 - 1
Al Wahda

Benzema (2', 47', 89'), Aouar (13'), Fabinho (45+4'), Al-Sagour (55'), Al-Shehri (87')
Kante (30')
FT(HT: 3-1)
Amyn (31')
Cretu (27')

Preview: Al Ittihad vs. Al Wahda - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Saudi Pro League clash between Al Ittihad and Al Wahda, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Al Ittihad will resume their mission to win back the Saudi Pro League title this season when they take on Al Wahda at the King Abdullah Sports City on Sunday evening.

The hosts have a 100% record after the first two games of the season and are in fourth place in the league standings, while the visitors are eighth with four points over the same period.


Match preview

Houssem Aouar of Al-Ittihad  on September 7, 2024© Imago

Al Ittihad president Loay Mashabi has made his intentions to return to the summit of the Saudi Pro League clear this season, bringing in several big names both on and off the pitch during the offseason.

Marcelo Gallardo was one of the victims of the shake-up in personnel, with Mashabi dismissing the Argentine at the end of last season following a dispute with Karim Benzema and replacing him with the former Real Madrid captain's compatriot Laurent Blanc at the start of this term.

So far, the initial signs under the French manager have been very promising with the side currently one of only five, along with Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al Qadsiah and Al Taawoun, to have won both league games this season.

Nadi Al-Sha'ab kicked off the league season with a 1-0 win over Al Kholood and followed up with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory against the Wolves ahead of the international break, with former Roma attacker Houssem Aouar scoring the winner in both matches.

Next up for Blanc is Al Wahda, an opponent that his team have beaten in six consecutive encounters leading up to this one, and outscored 14-5 during their current win streak.

Ali Makki of Al-Wehda FC  on September 7, 2024© Imago

Meanwhile, having now managed to navigate back-to-back seasons in the top flight, Al Wahda's main goal this term will be to open up some distance between themselves and the dotted line.

Like Al Ittihad, the Knights of Mecca underwent a change of leadership during the summer, with former Lokomotiv Moscow boss Josef Zinnbauer appointed to replace Greek tactician Georgios Donis back in July.

After two matches in 2024-25, things are looking promising for the German, as his side are still unbeaten, posting a 3-3 draw in their opening match at home to Al Riyadh and beating new boys Al Orubah 2-1 a week later.

However, Zinnbauer is now set to face his toughest assignment since arriving in the Middle East, and has to do so on the road, where his team managed only four victories across the entire of last season under his predecessor.

Al Ittihad Saudi Pro League form:
  • W
  • W

Al Ittihad form (all competitions):


Al Wahda Saudi Pro League form:
  • D
  • W

Al Wahda form (all competitions):



Team News

Al-Ittihad manager Laurent Blanc on August 7, 2024© Imago

Benzema and Aouar have scored the hosts' three league goals this season and will almost certainly continue to lead the line here, with former Aston Villa man Moussa Diaby likely to operate as the most advanced midfielder.

Al Ittihad made two big signings on deadline day, bringing in Steven Bergwijn and Danilo Pereira from Ajax and Paris Saint-Germain respectively and both players will be in line to make their debuts this weekend.

Al Wehda spent less than £1m on new acquisitions during the offseason, but they did manage to secure a free transfer for Murad Khadhari from Al Ahli, and the centre-forward has scored two-in-two from off the bench for his new employers.

Odion Ighalo opened his account for this term last week and will be the most likely to drop to the bench if Khadhari is given a start, while Australian international Craig Goodwin has also been impressive in the new campaign and will be looking to add to his brace from the season-opener in this one.


Al Ittihad possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Al Yami, Al-Shanqeetti, Al Mousa, Kadesh; Kante, Fabinho; Diaby, Aouar, Bergwijn; Benzema

Al Wahda possible starting lineup:
De Arruabarrena; Mowalad, Al-Hafith, Yamiq, Makki; Hejji, Makahasi; Al-Azizi, Amyn, Goodwin; Ighalo


SM words green background

We say: Al Ittihad 2-1 Al Wahda

While Al Wahda have performed well over the first two weeks of the Saudi Pro League season, they are set to face an Al Ittihad side that now, on paper, could go toe-to-toe with some of the best teams in the world. We say the hosts will come away with the points in this one.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Game History

How you voted: Al Ittihad vs Al Wahda

Al Ittihad
94.7%
Draw
5.3%
Al Wahda
0.0%
19
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Al-HilalAl-Hilal66001861218
2Al Ittihad65011771015
3Al-Nassr64201431114
4Al ShababAl Shabab640253212
5Al-TaawounAl-Taawoun631274310
6Al Quadisiya631263310
7Al Riyadh63121011-110
8Al Ettifaq631256-110
9Al RaedAl Raed62139637
10Al-AhliAl-Ahli62138717
11Al Orubah6213610-47
12Al Khaleej621337-47
13Damac6204810-26
14Al Fayha6123512-75
15Al WahdaAl Wahda6123816-85
16Al Kholood6114712-54
17Al Okhdood6114611-54
18Al Fateh6105412-83


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