Our Roshn Saudi League (RSL) Fantasy 2025/26 team preview articles continue with reigning champions Al Ittihad.
- READ MORE: Saudi Pro League – How to play RSL Fantasy
In these guides, we will evaluate the club’s previous campaign, give an update on summer friendlies, talk over transfers and outline some top of their best assets for 2025/26.
CHECK OUT RSL FANTASY (SAUDI PRO LEAGUE)
Al Ittihad in 2024/25
Laurent Blanc successfully brought joy back to Al Ittihad fans, securing the league and the cup double. However, this season won’t start on the best note, as they exited the Saudi Super Cup with a 2–1 loss to Al Nassr.
Last time, the team scored 79 goals – averaging 2.3 per match – and dominated the league, losing only three matches and keeping nine clean sheets in their 34 games. Now, they begin a journey to defend this title.
Transfers
So far, the summer has not seen any major signings, which is causing frustration among fans. They believe reinforcements need to strengthen the team when defending this title.
With not long remaining until the transfer window closes, there are still no reports of an imminent deal.
You can find the updated list of all transfers on the official RSL website
Pre-season
| DATE | MATCH | SCORE | GOALS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23rd July | Friendly | Fenerbahce 4 – 0 Al Ittihad | |
| 26th July | Friendly | Vitoria de Guimaraes 3 – 1 Al Ittihad | Diaby |
| 30th July | Friendly | Fulham 4 – 2 Al Ittihad | Benzema x2 |
| 2nd August | Friendly | Al Ittihad 1 – 2 Portimonense | Al Sahafi |
| 4th August | Friendly | Al Ittihad 5 – 1 Leiria | Bergwijn, Al Mousa, Al Aboud, Al Shehri, Al Ghamdi |
| 19th August | Saudi Super Cup | Al Nassr 2 – 1 Al Ittihad | Bergwijn |
Despite having a numerical advantage after Sadio Mane‘s (10.0m) sending off in the 26th minute, Al Ittihad weren’t able to get past Al Nassr in the Super Cup semi-final.
This completed a dismal pre-season in which the team won only one of their five warm-up games, losing to Fenerbahce, Fulham, Portimonense and Vitoria de Guimaraes.
Conceding 16 times in six outings doesn’t bring confidence to their defensive assets, but at least the attackers are finding the net.
Fixtures + expected lineup
Blanc is expected to unleash a frontline trio of Karim Benzema (11.0m), Moussa Diaby (9.0m) and Steven Bergwijn (9.5m). Behind them, a midfield likely featuring N’Golo Kante (7.5m), Fabinho (6.5m) and Houssem Aouar (8.0m).
Of Al Ittihad’s defenders, perhaps the most guaranteed name to start is Danilo Pereira (5.5m).
Despite such poor pre-season form, they have an attractive-looking early schedule, facing Al Okhdood, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, then Al Fateh in the second round and newly promoted Al Najmah in the third round.
It’s a great run of fixtures for such attacking talent, so having at least one of these feels essential.
Top Al Ittihad picks
Karim Benzema (11.0m): The world-class striker contributed to 31 goals in 29 league matches last season. He was the third-highest scoring forward with 245 points, plus the position’s top assister, creating the most big chances (14). Additionally, the 37-year-old came third for shots on target (110). All of these factors make him a huge source of bonus points.
N’Golo Kante (7.5m): With a new bonus point system in place for 2025/26, Kante now becomes a valuable option. His 196 points were the second-highest among Al-Ittihad players, benefiting from a mix of defensive returns and accurate passes.
Moussa Diaby (9.0m): Starting only 22 times, the former Aston Villa attacker scored five goals and set up a further 16, making him the league’s number one assist provider. He also created 22 big chances, making him a very strong Fantasy midfield asset.
Steven Bergwijn (9.5m): Another with strong numbers, Bergwijn scored 13 and assisted eight. He also netted against Al Nassr in the recent Super Cup semi-final. Currently, he looks like the team’s most reliable attacking midfield option.
Houssem Aouar (8.0m): Behind Benzema and Kante for points, the Algerian international brought in 12 goals and five assists.
Fabinho (6.5m): The ex-Liverpool star is a solid budget-friendly option, now that defensive actions and passing accuracy will start being rewarded.
Danilo Pereira (5.5m): The team’s standout defensive choice. Three nice-looking opening games bring clean sheet potential, even though pre-season was poor. He’ll also bring bonus points through defensive actions and passing, alongside goal threat, having netted twice last season.
Of the rest, Abdulrahman Al Obud (5.0m), Hernandez (5.0m) and Hammam Al-Hammami (5.0m) are cheap picks, but look unlikely to start every game and may only come off the bench.
