The Saudi Pro League has dubbed this “Al Clasico”, as two of Saudi football’s giants clash when last year’s runners-up Al Hilal travel to defending champions Al Ittihad on Friday. Both teams, however, have struggled to find form at the start of the 2025-26 season and are 4th and 5th in the table respectively.
Al Hilal had made a big effort to topple Al Ittihad this summer by bringing in Simone Inzaghi as head coach and with him players like Theo Hernandez and Darwin Nunez, but it has yet to bear fruit. Out of five league matches, they have won three and drawn two. They haven’t hit the next level in the AFC Champions League either, but they have won three out of three. On Tuesday, they beat Al Sadd 3-1 and will also look to translate Asian form into domestic results.
Al Ittihad, meanwhile, also struggled in Asia and recorded their first win in three against Al Shorta. They had to come from a goal down (and a man down) to win 4-1 and record their first three points of the ACL campaign. In the SPL, they have recorded three wins, one draw and one defeat in five matches. Currently sweating from superstar Karim Benzema’s injuries (and poor form), Ittihad coach Laurent Blanc is hoping he can rediscover his touch against their arch-rivals.
Here’s everything you need to know about this blockbuster shocker:
How to watch:
The match will be available on ESPN Africa in sub-Saharan Africa and FanCode in India. You can also follow live updates from ESPN.
Note: How to tune in to ESPN – ESPN: DStv 218, StarTimes 248 and ESPN2: DStv 219, StarTimes 249
Key details:
Date: Friday, October 24 at 8:00 p.m. CAT (9:00 p.m. Saudi; 11:30 p.m. IST)
Place: Al Inma Bank Stadium, Jeddah
Injury News:
Al-Ittihad
Karim Benzema, F: calf, DOUBT
Al-Hilal
Joao Cancelo, D: hamstring, OUT
Salem Al-Dawsari, F: hip, DOUBT
Expected compositions:
Al-Ittihad
G.K.: Rajkovic Conference
R.B.: Jan-Carlo Simic | CB: Saad Al Mosa | CB: Danilo Pereira | kg:Mario Mitaj
CM: N’Glo Kanté | CM: Houssem Aouar| CM: Fabinho
R.W.: Moussa Diaby | FC: Saleh Al-Shehri | L.W.:Roger Fernandes
Al-Hilal
G.K.: Yassine Bounou
R.B.: Hamad Al Yami | CB: Hassan Tombakti CB: Kalidou Koulibaly | kg: Theo Hernández
CM: Rubén Nevès | CM: Nasser Al Dawsari
R.W.: Seagull | CAM: Sergej Milinkovic-Savic | L.W.: Mohamed Kanno
FC: Marcos Leonardo
Statistics:
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Al Hilal lead the SPL in terms of xG, with 15.73. However, they scored 15 goals while table leader Al Nassr scored 19.
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Al Ittihad is the richest possession team in the SPL. They have averaged 7.8 passes per possession this season (compared to 7.2 last season), the most of any club.
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In their last 10 matches against each other, Al Hilal holds a very big advantage, winning 7 and losing only once. Hilal also scored 25 goals against 15 for his rival.
Latest news and analysis:
– Transfer rumors, news: Chelsea and Juventus consider Milinkovic-Savic
A race between Chelsea and Juventus could happen for Al Hilal midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to Corriere dello Sport
– Transfer rumors, news: Saudi clubs still eyeing Man Utd’s Bruno
Manchester United are preparing to receive offers from clubs in Saudi Arabia for captain Bruno Fernandes in January, according to the Manchester Evening News.
– Transfer rumors, news: Benzema linked to Mourinho reunion at Benfica
New Benfica manager José Mourinho wants to reunite with his former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, according to Marca.
