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Al-Ittihad will invite Al-Hazm to the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday.
The reigning champions are winless in their last three league games and have dropped to fifth place in the league table. They trail league leaders Al Hilal by six points and will look to return to winning ways in this match.
They were able to break their winless run on Monday as they recorded a 1-0 home win over Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in the AFC Champions League. In-form striker Abderrazak Hamdallah scored the match-winner in the fourth minute of injury time, with N'Golo Kanté providing the assist.
The visitors picked up their first win of the league campaign last week, recording a 4-3 home win over Al Raed in a bottom-of-the-table clash. They moved to the 19th place in the league standings with this win.
Al-Ittihad vs Al-Hazm Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have locked horns 24 times in all competitions since 2005. As expected, the hosts have the upper hand in the meetings, with 18 wins to their name. The visitors have two wins against their Western rivals and four games have ended in draws.
- They last met in the 2021-22 Saudi Pro League campaign, with the hosts securing a league double with a 4-0 aggregate score.
- Al-Ittihad have the joint-best defensive record in the competition, conceding seven goals in 10 games, with six of them coming at home.
- Al-Hazm, on the other hand, have the worst defensive record in the league, conceding 26 times in 10 games.
- The hosts have won 11 of their 13 home meetings against the visitors, outscoring them 41-11 in these games.
- Interestingly, both defeats for Ittihad in the league this season have come at home.
Al-Ittihad vs Al-Hazm Prediction
The Tigers returned to winning ways after three games in their previous outing in the Champions League against Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya and will look to continue that form in this match.
They have seen under 2.5 goals in their last four games in all competitions, scoring and conceding twice apiece. Karim Benzema was not named in the squad against the Champions League by Nuno Espírito Santo, so should start here and will be well-rested for the league clash.
The visitors recorded their first win of the season in their previous outing, scoring four goals in a match for the first time since September last year. They are winless in their last 17 away games in the Saudi Pro League and might struggle here.
Considering the contrast in form between the two teams and the home advantage for Al-Ittihad, we back them to record a comfortable win.
Prediction: Al-Ittihad 2-1 Al-Hazm
Al-Ittihad vs Al-Hazm Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Al Ittihad to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least a goal to be scored in the first half - Yes
Tip 4: Abderrazak Hamdallah to score or assist any time - Yes
