Al Ittihad travel to Al Raed on Thursday knowing they could be crowned Saudi Pro League champions by the final whistle, while the hosts have already seen their fate sealed at the other end of the table.

The hosts are bottom of the table, already mathematically relegated, while the visitors are six clear at the top of the table with three games left to play this season.

Match preview

Al Ittihad are closing in on the title, sitting six points clear of Al Hilal, and another victory here, combined with a slip-up from Hilal away at Al Fateh, could see the Jeddah club confirmed as champions.

The People's club cruised past Al Fayha 3-0 in their most recent outing, with Karim Benzema netting a brace and Mohammed Kareem Al Baqawi scoring an own goal, making it three straight league victories for Laurent Blanc's men.

Al Ittihad head into Thursday's game looking to win consecutive games on the road for the first time since February, having ended their four-game away winless run with a dramatic 3-2 success over Al Nassr.

With everything to play for, Blanc's side are expected to secure victory here, with Benzema also hoping to close in on Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo in the golden boot race, with the Portuguese currently two ahead on 23 goals.

In stak contrast, Al Raed's 1-0 loss to Damak last weekend confirmed their relegation, ending a difficult campaign that has seen them lose 22 of 31 matches.

With just six wins and three draws, their 21-point tally leaves them 11 points adrift of safety with only three matches remaining, making safety mathematically impossible.

It marked the end of an era for the club, who were one of only five clubs that had been relegated in the top flight since the SPL era began in the 2008-09 season, alongside Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, Al Nassr and Al Shabab.

The situation at home has been bleak, as they are winless in their last 10 league games on their own turf (D1, L9), last winning at home in mid-November, leaving them with little hope heading into Thursday's encounter.

Raed Al Tahadi have also conceded two or more goals in eight of those matches and have a poor historical record against Al-Ittihad, winning just twice in 17 home meetings.

Team News

Al Raed have a nearly full squad available, with just one confirmed absentee, as Midfielder Mohammed Fouzair remains sidelined after undergoing surgery in November and is not expected to return until next season.

Karim El Berkaoui, who has scored a team-high 11 times for the hosts this season, is expected to lead the line once again.

Al Ittihad will welcome Moussa Diaby back into the lineup after missing the last game due ro a suspension for his sending off in their match against Al Nassr.

This will see Unai Hernandez likely drop back to the bench with Diaby, Abdulrahman Al Oboud and Houssem Aouar completing the trio behind Benzema in attack.

Al Raed possible starting lineup:
Moreira; Al-Rajeh, Gonzalez, Qasmi, Al Jayzani; Hazazi, Abeid, Al Amri; Al Hawsawi, El Berkaoui, Bouzok

Al Ittihad possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Al Shanqeeti, Al Mousa, Kadish, Mitaj; Kante, Fabinho; Al Obud, Aouar, Diaby; Benzema,

We say: Al Raed 0-3 Al Ittihad

Al-Ittihad should have little trouble seeing off a relegated Al Raed side lacking form and motivation, with the title within reach and Benzema in scoring touch, we expect the visitors to dominate and secure a comfortable victory.


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