Al Hilal to host Al Ittihad at Kingdom Arena in Saudi Pro League matchweek 8 on October 10

Al Hilal will host Al Ittihad at the Kingdom Arena on October 10 in a Saudi Pro League 2026-27 matchweek 8 fixture, with both sides carrying strong early-season records into the derby.

Al Hilal have won six of their first seven league matches and lost once under Simone Inzaghi, their most recent result a 6-0 victory over Al Taawoun in which Gabriel Martinelli scored a hat-trick. The hosts will take the contest to their home ground with confidence and aim to control the game from the start. Theo Hernandez, Ali Lajami and Salem Al Dawsari are back in training for Al Hilal, with Lajami participating in the first part of group training and Summerville undergoing recovery sessions.

Al Ittihad remain unbeaten in the league so far, recording five wins and two draws under Jens Wissing, and arrive off a 3-1 victory over Al Faisaly. That win featured a brace from 29-year-old Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri, who will again be deployed as a striker for the visitors. Wissing’s side will attempt to maintain their undefeated run away from home.

Gabriel Martinelli is expected to be a central attacking figure for Al Hilal after his hat-trick against Al Taawoun, with the Brazilian winger described as a constant threat to opposing defences. For Al Ittihad, En-Nesyri’s movement in the final third is singled out as a potential problem for the hosts, and the striker will be relied upon to provide goals.

Al Hilal report several players returning to training, while Al Ittihad have multiple absentees and returns to manage. Al Ittihad will not have Ahmed Sharahili, Hamed Al Ghamdi and Hassan Kadish in action due to injury, and Houssem Aouar and Saad Al Mosa are back in training for the visitors. Al Hilal’s training updates noted Summerville’s recovery work alongside the returns of Hernandez, Lajami and Al Dawsari.

Projected lineups published ahead of the match list the following players: Bounou (GK); Mahzari, Al Tambakti, Koulibaly, Al Harbi; Milinkovic-Savic, Neves, Kanno; Martinelli, Watkins, Summerville. Rajkovic (GK); Al Shanqiti, Danilo, Kadish, Abdi; Al Ghamdi, Lopy, Rios, Bergwijn; Ilenikhena, En Nesyri.

Prediction: Al Hilal 3-2 Al Ittihad. The Kingdom Arena will host the fixture on October 10 and fans can watch via the FanCode app and website; for more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.