October’s Ghost Haunts the Saudi Classic: Hilal vs. Ittihad Sparks a Friday Showdown
21 October 2025
Context and Standings
The big clash between Al Hilal and Al Ittihad returns this Friday at the Al-Inma Stadium as Round 6 of the Roshen Saudi Pro League unfolds.
Hilal sits in fourth with 11 points from three wins and two draws, having scored 15 and conceded 6. Al Ittihad lies fifth on 10 points from three wins, one draw and one loss, with 11 goals for and seven against.
October Ghost and Classic History
The October shadow tends to follow this fixture, as Hilal’s blue wave often has the last word in October clashes. The last Ittihad October win against Hilal dates back to 2016, and fans approach the weekend with cautious optimism.
In October history, the two clubs have met seven times in the league: Hilal has won three, Ittihad twice, with two draws.
Seasonal Milestones and Anticipation
Head-to-heads include a 1980 meeting at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium that ended in a goalless draw, a 1984 Hilal 3-0 win at Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, a 2003 clash that also finished level, and a 2006 edition where Hilal edged it 2-1 at the same venue.
The 2015 October clash at The Jewel finished 4-3 in favor of Ittihad, while the 2016 October encounter saw Ittihad win 2-0 at King Fahd International Stadium. The 2018 edition ended 3-1 to Hilal at Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, with Kanno, Gomis and Eduardo on target for the champions and Pesic replying for Ittihad.
Across 54 league meetings, Hilal holds 27 wins, Ittihad 11, and 16 draws. Hilal’s players have scored 90 goals against Ittihad, while Ittihad has 62 against Hilal.
Recent Form and ACL Focus
The match also serves as a warm-up for continental duties, with Ittihad beating Al Shorta 4-1 in Baghdad in the third round of the West Asia zone of the AFC Champions League Elite, while Hilal turn their attention to a clash against Al Sadd in the ACL group stage. Hilal currently leads their ACL group with six points from two wins, while Al Sadd look for their first win after two draws.
Coach notes: Hilal’s Italian boss Simone Inzaghi has urged his players to stay focused on the ACL test and not get carried away by derby hype. The objective remains two important fixtures to prove continental and domestic ambitions and to respond to criticism in recent weeks.
In this context, the club’s preparations emphasize balance between league and Asia, with a clear message to keep the momentum alive across competitions.
Punchline 1: October is the sniper in this derby—taking shots from long range and somehow still finding the net.
Punchline 2: If football had a stand-up act, October would close with: “Nice to meet you, gentlemen—your defense already panicked.”
