Football

Al-Ittihad Predicted Lineup vs Al-Hazem: Hungry Karim Benzema eyeing goal spree against struggling relegation battlers

Karim Benzema is the centre of attention in the Al-Ittihad Predicted Lineup vs Al-Hazem when the two clubs face off in their Saudi Pro League clash at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium on Thursday evening.

The Frenchman will be eager to move closer to the Golden Boot race by running riot over the Saudi club with the worst defensive record in the league.

Al-Ittihad Predicted Lineup vs Al-Hazem
Photo by Khalid Alhaj/MB Media – Photo by Icon Sport

Al-Ittihad Predicted Lineup vs Al-Hazem

Saudi Pro League team news

Nuno Espirito Santo had to field an Al-Ittihad team without Benzema in their 1-0 win over Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in the AFC Champions League on Monday after he complained of a slight niggle before the game. The Frenchman should be back in time to play in this one after that precautionary omission.

Fabinho is still out with an injury and will face a tough task to regain full fitness to play in this one. Brazilian winger Igor Coronado is also doubtful after missing the AFC Champions League game for The Tigers. Ahmed Hegazy and Abdullah Al-Jadani are long-term absentees.

Despite some key absentees, Al-Ittihad still have enough firepower to dominate Al-Hazem and they really need a major win to at least keep themselves alive in the Saudi Pro League title race.

Predicted Lineup

Marcelo Grohe (GK), Madallah Alolayan, Omar Hawsawi, Luiz Felipe, Ahmed Bamsaud, N’Golo Kante, Awad Al Nashri, Romarinho, Saleh Al-Amri, Abderrazak Hamdallah, Karim Benzema

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Photo by Khalid Alhaj/MB Media – Photo by Icon Sport

Al-Ittihad Predicted Lineup vs Al-Hazem – Our top three

Karim Benzema – Focused Frenchman eager to make a statement

Karim Benzema has had a pretty solid start at Al-Ittihad, having six goal contributions in 8 Saudi Pro League games. However, he’s yet to score a brace or hat trick for the Tigers. He aims to do that against the struggling Al-Hazem side that is in a relegation battle.

He might be marked tightly by Al-Hazem centre-back Bruno Viana and be hassled with physical challenges, but the Ballon d’Or knows that all too well. Benzema will look to get into the key areas and bring out his ruthless scoring nature to help his side get a big win.

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Photo by Richard Callis/Fotoarena – Photo by Icon Sport

Abderrazak Hamdallah – Purring forward looks to continue impressive form

The Moroccan forward has been an ideal partner for Benzema and a great shadow for him to create a formidable frontline for Al-Ittihad. Coming off his heroics in scoring the winner in the last game, Hamdallah will be keen on continuing that.

Al-Hazem defender Paulo Ricardo will keep a close eye on him and look to neutralize his movement, but Hamdallah needs to be focused on his target. He has to be smart in moving past the backline, smartly linking up with teammates and getting himself into the key areas to continue his goal-scoring heroics.

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Photo by Abdul Ghani Bashir Issa/MB Media – Photo by Icon Sport

Romarinho – Tricky winger could be a real menace

Romarinho has had a solid campaign so far for the Tigers, having five goal contributions in 10 games. The Brazilian is packed with a lot of tricks, being able to dribble past defenders with ease and cause trouble with his movement.

He will need to be witty to destabilize the Al-Hazem backline but should get quite a lot of freedom in the wide areas. Romarinho needs to be decisive with his final delivery, absolutely nailing his passes into the final third to create major chances for Benzema & co.

Will Jota play vs Al-Hazem?

Some Al-Ittihad fans were surprised to see Jota start the AFC Champions League game recently. Of course, he will not be able to play against Al-Hazem because he is ineligible, with the Tigers not registering him in their Saudi Pro League squad this season.

Al-Ittihad Predicted Lineup vs Al-Hazem – The final word

Al-Ittihad can’t afford to do anything but win this game if they aspire to seriously compete for the Saudi Pro League title. They are facing the team with the worst defensive record and a knack for leaking goals easily. Nuno Espirit Santo has to motivate his squad to unleash their utmost attacking quality and entertain their fans with an entertaining goal-fest.

Read More: 10 fun facts about the Ballon d’Or


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