Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao of Al-Ittihad Club has selected his starting lineup to face their traditional rival Al-Ahli in the top match of the eighth round of the Roshen Saudi Professional League, on Saturday evening at the Al-Elm Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

The team enters the match without Brazilian Fabinho due to suspension after his red card in the last game against Al-Khaleej, in addition to the absence of defender Saad Al-Mousa, who is suffering from a muscle injury that will keep him out of the derby.

It is expected that Conceição will rely on the following lineup: Brice Raïkovitch in goal, with a defensive quartet in front of him consisting of Mario Metai, Danilo Pereira, Hassan Kach, and Mohannad Al-Shanqeeti. N'Golo Kanté, Mohamedou Doumbia, and Houssem Aouar will take charge of the midfield, while the attacking trio will be led by Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, Karim Benzema, and Moussa Diaby.

On the other hand, the German Matthias Jaissle, the coach of Al-Ahli Saudi Club, has settled on the lineup for his team that will start the derby, relying on the Brazilian Galinho in the forward position alongside Riyad Mahrez and Firas Al-Buraikan.

The expected lineup for Al Ahly is as follows: in goal, Edouard Mendy; in defense, Ali Majrashi, Merih Demiral, Roger Ibanez, and Zakaria Hawsawi; while the midfield consists of Franck Kessie, Enzo Milot, and Matheus Gonçalves; and in attack, Mahrez, Galeno, and Al-Breikan.

The Union enters the match in eighth place in the league standings with 11 points from three wins, two draws, and two losses, while Al-Ahli is in sixth place with 13 points after achieving three wins and four draws. This sets the stage for a highly competitive encounter between the two Jeddah clubs, both looking to return to contention for the top positions.