I don’t regret my experience with the Saudi national team… they lied to me

Al-Ittihad‘s Leadership Is at Stake; Al-Hilal Aims to Return Strong

Al-Ittihad faces a challenging task to maintain its lead in the Saudi Professional League. This week, they will play two strong matches before the long break. First, they will visit Al-Ittifaq in Dammam on Saturday, followed by a match against Al-Nasr.

Meanwhile, Al-Hilal, the defending champions, seeks to reclaim their lead as they face Al-Shabaab. Al-Hilal has not won in their last two matches, including a draw against Al-Saad in Asia.

On the last day of the 12th round, Al-Rayed and Al-Tawun will meet at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Al-Ittihad’s match in Dammam could be challenging due to the absence of star player Musa Diaby. His impact was evident in the recent match against Al-Fateh, where Al-Ittihad ended an eight-match winless streak. Al-Ittihad is motivated to win, especially as they aim to widen the gap with their competitors.

Coach Laurent Blanc believes his team can perform well despite missing key players like Benzema and Diaby. The return of French captain Karim Benzema, who missed several matches due to injury, is expected to boost the team’s attack.

Al-Ittihad currently leads the league with thirty points, just two points ahead of Al-Hilal. They know that securing points in this match is crucial before facing Al-Nasr.

On the other hand, Al-Ittifaq struggles under coach Steven Gerrard as they aim for positive results after disappointing performances in the league.

In Riyadh, Al-Hilal faces a tough match against Al-Shabaab after two winless games. Coach Jorge Jesus aims to restore team morale and secure a win, especially with the absence of key midfielder Ruben Neves. However, the return of Brazilian player Malcolm, who missed the last two games, offers some hope.

Al-Shabaab, under coach Vitor Pereira, currently ranks fourth with 22 points and appears motivated to win against Al-Hilal despite missing key players like Abdel Razzaq Hamdallah and Carrasco.

In Buraydah, Al-Taoun and Al-Rayed compete for victory in the Al-Qasim derby. Al-Taoun has a slight edge in the rankings with 15 points compared to Al-Rayed’s 14. Both teams seek to improve their standings after mixed results in recent matches.