Al-Hilal Seeks to Extend Lead as Benzema Makes Debut Against Al-Ittifaq
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – – League-leading Al-Hilal will host Al-Ittifaq at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh today in a crucial Saudi Pro League matchday 22 clash. Al-Hilal aims to widen its advantage at the top of the table, while Al-Ittifaq seeks to climb closer to the upper reaches of the standings.
The match is particularly notable as it marks the debut start for Karim Benzema, who recently joined Al-Hilal. The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner has already made a significant impact, scoring 19 goals in 22 appearances across all competitions this season – 11 in the Saudi Pro League, and 4 each in the AFC Champions League and Kings Cup.
Al-Hilal comes into the match having convincingly defeated Al-Okhdood 6-0 in round 21 of the SPL. Simone Inzaghi’s side has been a consistent performer throughout the season and boasts a strong head-to-head record against Al-Ittifaq.
Al-Ittifaq, currently in sixth place, arrives in decent form and will be looking to cause an upset. The match promises to be an intriguing encounter as both teams vie for crucial points in the Saudi Pro League title race.
The build-up to this match has also been overshadowed by developments concerning Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr. Reports indicate that Ronaldo has gone on strike following Benzema’s arrival at Al-Hilal, a move perceived as a threat to Al-Nassr’s title aspirations. His absence has reportedly impacted Al-Nassr, leaving them two points behind Al-Hilal in the league standings.
The match kicks off at . Fans will be eager to see how Benzema performs in his first start for Al-Hilal and whether his presence can propel the team to further success.
