Preview: Al Ittihad vs Al Akhdoud Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | Saudi Pro League 2025-26

The People’s Club will take on the Ambassador of Najran on matchday 17 of the Saudi Pro League.

Al Ittihad will host the struggling Al Akhdoud in the iconic King Abdullah Sport City Stadium. Both teams will lock horns and will be aiming to get three points from this fixture in the Saudi Pro League. The defending champions, Al Ittihad, are having a terrible season under the Portuguese manager Sergio Conceicao.

A quality team like them have struggled to perform at a high level and are very much behind their rival Al Hilal and Al Nassr. So far in 16 matches, they have won eight, drawn three and lost five. With 27 points on the table, they are sitting in the seventh spot.

Surely their dream of defending the league title is gone. They are yet to face defeat against Al Akhdoud, but considering their performance this season, they can also face an upset on Monday. The home team are under immense pressure, and surely they will have to deliver results in the upcoming fixtures.

On the other hand, Al Akhdoud are in the relegation zone and are in terrible form. Away from home, their record has been poor. Now they take on Al Ittihad, who are much better than them in quality.

Defensively, they haven’t been able to do well and have dropped points from winning positions. In 16 matches, they won only twice, drew three, and lost 11 games. With nine points, they are 17th in the table.

The upcoming fixtures will be crucial in deciding if they stay up or go down in the second division.

Kick-Off:

• Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• Stadium Name: King Abdullah Sport City Stadium
• Date: Monday, 26th January
• Kick-Off Time: 11:00 PM IST
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In Use

Form

Al Ittihad (in all competitions): L-L-D-W-W-W

Al Akhdoud (in all competitions): D-L-W-L-L-L

Players to Watch

Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad)

The former Real Madrid player and France international Benzema is still shining at the age of 38. Even though Al Ittihad is not having a great season, Benzema is still clinical in front of the goal. His striker instinct still hasn’t left him.

He will be a big threat to the opposition in the upcoming clash. Injuries have caused him some problems in recent years, but despite all the challenges, he can deliver on the pitch. In 17 matches this season, he has scored 12 goals.

Petros (Al Akhdoud)

This is the seventh season for the Brazilian midfielder in the Saudi Pro League. Petros has been part of this league even before it got famous. He has played for Al Nassr, Al Fateh, Neom, and is now playing for Al Akhdoud.

Petros is 36 years old, and the veteran midfielder is a key player for Al Akhdoud. He keeps the balance in the team and controls the tempo of the game very well. He is not someone who goes and socres goal, but stays back and helps his team keep organised.

Match Facts

• Al Ittihad are undefeated against Al Akhdoud.
• Out of five fixtures between these two teams, only one match ended in a stalemate.
• Al Ittihad are sitting at seventh spot, and Al Akhdoud are 17th in the table.

Al Ittihad vs Al Akhdoud: Betting Tips & Odds

• Tip 1 – Al Ittihad to win this fixture – 1/6 by bet365
• Tip 2 – Both teams to score
• Tip 3 – Goals scored over 1.5

Injury and Team News

Saad Al-Mousa suffered a muscle injury in November and is sidelined for this fixture. The rest of the squad is fully fit to play.

Tokmac Nguen will be suspended for this fixture due to the red card he got against Al Riyadh. There are no major injury issues for Al Akhdoud going into this fixture.

Head-to-Head

Matches: 5

Al Ittihad: 4

Al Akhdoud: 0

Draws: 1

Predicted Lineups

Al Ittihad Predicted Lineup (4-4-2):

Al Absi (GK); Kadesh, Fabinho, Pereira, Shanqeeti; Mitaj, Kante, Doumbia, Aouar; Diaby, Benzema

Al Akhdoud Predicted Lineup (5-4-1):

Samuel (GK); Abd Abd, Alyami, Gul, Gunter, Ince; Bassogog, Pedroza, Petros, Harthi; Al Abbas

Match Prediction

Both teams won’t be happy with their respective positions in the points table and will hope to get all three points. Al Ittihad are playing at home, and are undefeated against Al Akhdoud. They are the clear favourites to win this fixture.

Prediction: Al Ittihad 4-2 Al Akhdoud

Telecast Details

India: FanCode

UK: DAZN UK

USA: fubo TV, FOX Deportes

Nigeria: Star Times App, Sporty TV

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