Al-Ittihad Club vs Al-Hazem

Al-Ittihad host Al-Hazem in matchweek three, an early look at where both sides stand this season. Under new coach Jens Wissing, Al-Ittihad are chasing consistency after alternating title wins with mid-table finishes, while also juggling the King's Cup and AFC Champions League Elite. Newly promoted Al-Hazem want to prove their rise wasn't a fluke. Al-Hazem opened with a 2-1 win at Abha, Ahmed Al-Shamrani scoring and assisting behind a stingy defense. Coach Jalel Kadri, the league's longest-serving boss, added Algeria's Sofiane Bendebka and Guinean forward Mory Konate over the summer. Al-Ittihad counter with Youssef En-Nesyri, Moussa Diaby and N'Golo Kanté, and dominate the head-to-head record with 19 wins from 26 meetings since 2005 to Al-Hazem's two, though recent duels have been far closer. Expect a tight, cagey affair with the hosts' quality eventually telling. Our prediction: 2-1