Al-Ittihad Seeks Victory Against Al-Riyadh After Recent Struggles

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Al-Ittihad Club is set to face Al-Riyadh at Alinma Stadium on November 21, 2025, in hopes of breaking a five-game winless streak in the Saudi Professional League.

Despite the recent struggles, Al-Ittihad is favored to win, having beaten Al-Riyadh 2-1 in their last encounter. The team, coached by Sergio Conceicao, is currently eighth in the league standings, accumulating 11 points from eight matches. They are eager to rebound after a loss to Al-Ahli in the Jeddah derby where Riyadh Mahrez scored the only goal of the game.

“Sergio has a lot of work to do to turn things around, but this match could be the opportunity he needs for his first league victory,” said a club insider. Al-Ittihad has faced a challenge since the departure of their previous manager, and players are looking for a turnaround in fortunes.

Key player Karim Benzema continues to lead the squad, bringing invaluable experience from his time at Real Madrid. Al-Ittihad will, however, miss midfielder Fabinho, who was sent off in a previous game.

For Al-Riyadh, they sit just three points behind Al-Ittihad, having drawn their last match 1-1 against Damac FC. With two wins and four losses in their eight league games this season, Al-Riyadh needs to find a more energetic approach to avoid relegation threats. Haji and Mamadou Sylla are expected to lead their attack.

“We’re aiming for a better display than last time. We need points to stay competitive,” said Al-Riyadh head coach Javier Calleja.

The stakes are high for both teams as they prepare for this critical matchup. Al-Ittihad is looking to restore its image and climb the league table, while Al-Riyadh seeks to make a statement against a struggling rival.

The match is set to kick off at 18:15 local time, where all eyes will be on Al-Ittihad to see if they can finally secure a much-needed victory.