Watch Benzema in Saudi ‘Al Clasico’: Al Ittihad vs Al Hilal Guide
The Saudi Pro League features a highly anticipated clash dubbed ‘Al Clasico.’ On Friday, October 24, Al Hilal faces defending champions Al Ittihad at Al Inma Bank Stadium in Jeddah. Both teams are currently positioned fourth and fifth in the league, struggling for form early in the 2025-26 season.
Match Preview: Al Ittihad vs Al Hilal
Al Hilal, the previous season’s runners-up, made significant changes during the summer, hiring coach Simone Inzaghi. They also signed top talents including Theo Hernandez and Darwin Nunez. So far, their league performance shows three wins and two draws from five matches. However, in the AFC Champions League, they remain perfect, winning all three matches, including a recent 3-1 victory against Al Sadd.
Conversely, Al Ittihad has had a challenging start in both domestic and Asian competitions. They secured their first win in three AFC Champions League games with a 4-1 comeback against Al Shorta. In the SPL, their record consists of three wins, one draw, and one loss from five matches. The team is currently dealing with injury concerns regarding superstar Karim Benzema, which has raised questions about their performance.
Injury Reports
- Al Ittihad:
- Karim Benzema: Calf injury, doubtful
- Al Hilal:
- Joao Cancelo: Hamstring injury, out
- Salem Al-Dawsari: Hip injury, doubtful
How to Watch the Match
Fans can catch the match on ESPN Africa throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and on FanCode in India. Live updates will also be available through ESPN. Below are the channels for tuning in:
| Channel | Provider |
|---|---|
| ESPN | DStv 218, StarTimes 248 |
| ESPN2 | DStv 219, StarTimes 249 |
Key Match Statistics
As the match approaches, here are some essential stats that reflect the teams’ current form:
- Al Hilal:
- Expected Goals (xG): 15.73, leading the league
- Total Goals Scored: 15
- Al Ittihad:
- Average Passes per Possession: 7.8 (most in the league)
In their last ten encounters, Al Hilal has dominated with seven wins and just one loss, scoring a total of 25 goals compared to Al Ittihad’s 15. As the excitement builds for this thrilling matchup, both teams will look to gain momentum in their respective campaigns.
