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Saturday Showdown: Al-Ittihad vs Al-Raed at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
Get ready for an exciting clash as Al-Ittihad and Al-Raed go head-to-head at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, as part of the 18th round of the Saudi Arabian League on December 23rd. Let's dive into the strengths, weaknesses, and current form of both teams.
Al-Ittihad
Strengths: With Galactic stars like Benzema, Kanté, and Fabinho on the roster, Al-Ittihad boasts a powerful squad that can certainly dominate games.
Weaknesses: Despite reinforcing their team last summer, Al-Ittihad has struggled to defend their title. Defensive issues persist, and team psychology problems have been a thorn in their side.
Last season's champions had a mediocre performance at the FIFA Club World Cup. Though they managed a 3-0 victory over Auckland City in their first match, Al-Ahly handed them a 3-1 defeat in the following game, exposing defensive vulnerabilities. With a 19-point deficit from leading team Al-Hilal, the minimum task for Al-Ittihad is to secure a top-3 finish in the domestic league, a feat that will be challenging given their inconsistency.
Defensive solidity is a major concern, especially with Al-Ittihad conceding goals in 9 out of the last 10 matches this season. They need to address these issues if they hope to reclaim their throne.
Al-Raed
Strengths: Al-Raed sports a relatively solid defense in theory, although their performances have not been exceptional overall.
Weaknesses: The team's attack has been underwhelming, particularly in away matches, leading to lackluster results.
Occupying the penultimate position in the season, it's difficult to call Al-Raed's current standing unfair. They've struggled to compete against their championship opponents, and their away match statistics have been dismal. The team needs to find a balance across all lines and sharpen their offensive strategy to compete more effectively.
Prediction
With Benzema and his teammates eager to prove their worth in Saudi football and motivated after their disappointing Club World Cup performance, Al-Ittihad stands as the favorite for this match. However, Al-Raed's occasional flashes of brilliant football promise a high-scoring match. Given the defensive woes exhibited by both teams, the over 3 goals total at 1.80 seems like a promising bet.
Disclaimer: This is an informative article for sports enthusiasts and not intended as betting advice or guidance. Always gamble responsibly and adhere to local gambling laws.
- Despite reinforcing their team last summer, the inconsistency of Al-Ittihad has been a significant challenge in their bid to defend their Saudi Arabian League title.
- Meanwhile, Al-Raed's attack has been underwhelming, particularly in away matches, leading to lackluster results in the league.
- In the upcoming showdown between Al-Ittihad and Al-Raed at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, European leagues' stars like Karim Benzema are eager to prove their worth in Saudi football.
- Reinforcements may be available for both teams as they look to address their defensive issues and reclaim their standing in the competitive Saudi Arabian League.
