Overview
Having only finished 5th in the 2023-2024 season, Al Ittihad is showing extremely impressive form in this year's campaign. After 11 matches, they have only lost once, while the remaining 11 matches have all won 3 points.
With 33 points in hand, Al Ittihad is currently at the top of the rankings, alongside the most solid defense in the league.
Al Ittihad have strengthened their squad significantly in the summer, bringing in the likes of Moussa Diaby, Houssem Aouar, Steven Bergwijn and many other quality recruits. These moves have paid off for Al Ittihad so far.
Meanwhile, Al Nassr are still playing inconsistently. After 2 wins against Al Gharafa and Damac, they unexpectedly suffered a 1-2 defeat at home to Al Sadd in the AFC Champions League. Before that, Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates also lost to Al Qadisiyah in round 11 of the Saudi Pro League.
At this time, Al Nassr only has 25 points on the rankings, 8 points behind Al Ittihad.
Al Ittihad has the home advantage in hosting Al Nassr and is also in better form. However, Al Nassr has a slight advantage in terms of force.
However, Al Ittihad will be full of confidence going into this match, especially after 10 consecutive wins in all competitions. In terms of head-to-head record, they lost to Al-Nassr in their last 2 meetings.
Human resources situation
Al Ittihad are dealing with a number of injury concerns ahead of this game, including Abdulaziz Al Bishi, Abdulelah Saeed, Ahmed Bamsaud, Ahmed Sharahili, Luiz Felipe and Diaby, while Bergwijn and Aouar are also doubtful.
On the other side of the front line, Laporte and Sami Al-Najei are both uncertain to play due to injury, while Mohamed Simakan was absent in the last match for the same reason.
Ronaldo was rested for the AFC Champions League match against Al Sadd, which Al-Nassr lost 1-2. The Portuguese striker is likely to return to the starting lineup against Al Ittihad.
Expected lineup:
Al Ittihad: Rajkovic, Shanqeeti, Pereira, Kadesh, Mitaj, Fabinho, Kante, Hawsawi, Aouar, Bergwijn, Benzema.
Al Nassr: Bento, Al-Ghannam, Lajami, Laporte, Boushal, Brozovic, Alkhaibari, Angelo, Otavio, Mane, Ronaldo.
The match between Al Ittihad and Al Nassr takes place at 0:00 a.m. on December 7 (Vietnam time).
