Saudi Arabia’s biggest football rivalry takes center stage on Saturday evening as league leaders Al-Hilal welcome Al-Ittihad to the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh for a highly anticipated Matchday 23 clash in the Roshn Saudi Pro League 2025-2026 season.
The fixture, commonly referred to as Saudi El Clásico, carries added intrigue this time around with French star Karim Benzema set to face his former club for the first time since joining Al-Hilal. The 38-year-old forward, who spent a celebrated spell with Al-Ittihad after leaving Real Madrid, is now a key figure in Al-Hilal’s relentless charge toward the league title.
Al-Hilal’s Dominant Season Continues
Al-Hilal enter the derby in imperious form. The Riyadh-based club sit atop the standings with an extraordinary 53 points from 22 matches, having won 16, drawn five and lost none. That unbeaten record across the entire season underscores just how formidable Jorge Jesus’s side have been, conceding only 18 goals while scoring freely at the other end. A 6-0 demolition of Al-Okhdood and a clean-sheet victory over Al-Ettifaq in recent weeks only reinforced the sense that this Al-Hilal squad is among the strongest the Saudi league has ever seen.
Al-Ittihad Look to Spoil the Party
Al-Ittihad, meanwhile, arrive in the capital with something to prove. Sitting seventh on 37 points after 21 matches, Laurent Blanc’s men have endured an inconsistent campaign by their own high standards. The Jeddah club have managed 11 wins but have stumbled in four of their last six away matches, including defeats to Al-Qadsiah and Al-Nassr. Houssem Aouar and the rest of the squad know that a statement result against the league leaders could reignite their season and push them back toward the top four.
History adds weight to the occasion. The two clubs have met 83 times in all competitions, with Al-Hilal holding the upper hand with 42 victories compared to Al-Ittihad’s 17, alongside 24 draws. Yet derbies have a habit of defying form, and Al-Ittihad will be hoping that pedigree counts for something when the floodlights come on at the 30,000-seat Kingdom Arena.
Where and When to Watch
Kickoff is set for 10:00 PM Saudi time on Saturday, February 21. The match will be broadcast exclusively on the Thamania network, which holds the official broadcasting rights for all Roshn Saudi Pro League fixtures this season. The network’s dedicated app also offers live streaming access for fans across the region.
With the title race, continental qualification and personal storylines all converging on one fixture, Saturday’s derby promises to be one of the standout moments of the Saudi football calendar. For Al-Hilal, it is a chance to extend a historic unbeaten run. For Al-Ittihad, it is an opportunity to remind everyone that they remain a force to be reckoned with.
