The final match of gameweek four in the Saudi Pro League will see Al-Hilal face off against Al Ittihad at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium in the first Saudi El Clasico of the new season.
With both teams tied on nine points after three matches, the winner of this clash will have the opportunity to take the lead in the league standings. Al-Hilal, coming off a stunning unbeaten league campaign last season, have started this season in similarly dominant form. It appears it will take something extraordinary to stop them from securing consecutive league titles.
The Blue Waves have already lifted their first trophy of the 2024-25 season, defeating Al-Nassr 4-1 in the Super Cup final. Since then, they've continued their winning streak with four consecutive victories, including a 3-1 triumph over Al Rayyan in the AFC Champions League opener earlier this week.
In league play, Jorge Jesus's side has dispatched Al Okhdood, Damac, and Al Riyadh, scoring three goals in each game. They are well on their way to chasing down their world-record 34-game winning streak from last season.
At home, Al-Hilal is on a remarkable 24-match winning streak, having scored two or more goals in all but one of those games. Their last league defeat at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium was back in March of last year.
Last season, Al-Hilal dominated Al Ittihad, winning all six meetings across competitions, extending their winning streak against their rivals to seven consecutive matches, and maintaining a 12-game unbeaten run. However, Al Ittihad looks like a much-improved team this season.
After finishing fifth in the league last year, a massive 42 points behind Al-Hilal, Al Ittihad made changes over the summer, replacing Marcelo Gallardo with French manager Laurent Blanc. Under Blanc’s leadership, Al Ittihad has won all three of their matches so far, placing them at the top of the table.Blanc's side made a statement last week with a commanding 7-1 home victory over Al Wehda, where Karim Benzema netted a hat-trick—his second since joining the Saudi Pro League. The former Real Madrid striker also scored in last season's thrilling seven-goal El Clasico clash, and his form will be key to Al Ittihad’s title challenge this season.
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