Al-Ittihad is set to host arch-rivals Al-Hilal at Alinma Stadium this Friday in a highly anticipated fixture of the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League season. The defending champions are currently facing a challenging period, having recently struggled with their form. Despite this, Al-Ittihad remains optimistic about retaining their title, as they sit fifth in the standings with 10 points.
In their last league match, Al-Ittihad managed a 1-1 draw against Al-Fayha, equalizing in the second half thanks to a goal from Ahmed Al-Ghamdi. However, a missed penalty from star player Karim Benzema hindered their chances for a win. Nevertheless, Al-Ittihad had a morale-boosting performance earlier this week, securing a 4-1 comeback victory over Al-Shorta in the AFC Champions League Elite.
On the other hand, Al-Hilal comes into this match in excellent form after a rocky start under coach Simone Inzaghi. They impressively defeated Al-Ettifaq 5-0 in their last league appearance, with notable performances from Marcos Leonardo and Darwin Nunez, both of whom scored twice. This was followed by a 3-1 victory against Al-Sadd on the international stage, showcasing their attacking prowess.
Currently, Al-Hilal is one position and one point ahead of Al-Ittihad in the league standings, prompting them to aim for a decisive victory to extend their lead.
As these two teams prepare to face off, the historical context of their match adds an intriguing layer. Out of 82 encounters between the clubs, Al-Hilal has claimed victory 41 times, while Al-Ittihad has managed only 17 wins, with 24 matches ending in draws. Interestingly, Al-Ittihad has reversed their fortunes in recent meetings, winning the last two encounters after a 13-match winless streak against Al-Hilal.
They have also struggled defensively, with neither side securing a clean sheet in their last five meetings. Al-Hilal, in particular, has been prolific this season, scoring 15 goals, trailing only league leaders Al-Nassr with 19 goals.
Looking ahead, Al-Ittihad hopes that their recent AFC success can help them regain momentum in the league. However, they face a daunting task against a red-hot Al-Hilal side, who are currently riding a five-game winning streak, with 15 goals scored during that span. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with a prediction leaning towards Al-Hilal winning 2-1.
For bettors, tips include backing Al-Hilal for the victory, anticipating over 2.5 goals in the match, and expecting both teams to score, given their recent offensive trends in head-to-head matchups. As the teams prepare for battle, fans are eagerly awaiting to see which side will emerge victorious in this high-stakes clash.