Al Wahda vs Al Ittihad Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | AFC Champions League Elite 2025-26

Abu Dhabi gears up to host the reigning Saudi champions.

The Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, gears up to host the ACL Elite fixture between home team Al Wahda and reigning Saudi champions Al Ittihad.

Al Wahda are the reigning champions of the UAE Pro League. They are led by Emirati gaffer Saleh Hamad Al Menhali, who has vast experience managing football clubs in the Middle East. All eyes will be on key players like Sebastian Tagliabúe and Khalil Ibrahim to get the better of the Saudi champions.

The reigning Saudi Pro League champions won a domestic double last season. They are led by French gaffer and World Cup winner Laurent Blanc, who has previously been at the dugouts of big clubs like PSG and Lyon. Al Ittihad have a far better head-to-head record against the Emirati side, having won three out of the six games.

Kick-off:

• Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
• Stadium: Al Nahyan Stadium
• Date: Monday, September 15
• Kick-off Time: 9:30 p.m. IST
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

📸| The Tigers celebrate with supporters 👏 pic.twitter.com/cqPkIMhYTi

— Al-Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) September 12, 2025

Players to Watch

Dusan Tadic (Al Wahda)

The veteran Serbian striker has previously plied his trade for top European clubs like AFC Ajax, Southampton, Fenerbahce and Twente before making a move to the Middle East recently. Al Wahda will rely upon his wealth of experience in front of the goal as they eye a big win over the Saudi club next.

Steve Bergwijn (Al Ittihad)

The 27-year-old Dutch striker from Amsterdam has risen through the ranks of PSV, Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Ajax before making a move to Saudi Arabia last year. Since joining the Tigers, Bergwijn has made 27 appearances. He scored a brace recently against Al Fateh, which was in the last encounter.

Match Facts

• The match will take place at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi
• Al Wahda are the reigning UAE Pro League Champions
• Al Ittihad are the reigning Saudi champions

Al Wahda vs Al Ittihad: Betting Tips and Odds

• The visitors to win the match
• Mousa Diaby to score the first goal
• Al Wahda 0-1 Al Ittihad

Injury and Team News

Al Wahda do not have any injury concerns for the next game.

Al Ittihad are expected to miss Rajkovic and former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema in the next game.

Head-to-Head

Total matches: 06

Al Wahda won: 01

Al Ittihad won: 03

Draws: 02

Predicted Lineups

Al Wahda predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Al Hammadi (GK); Zouhir, Ghorbani, Ivkovic, Canedo; Jadsom, Hamad; Folha, Tadic, Kruspzky; Khirbin

Al Ittihad predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Rajkovic (GK); Al Shanqeeti, Al Mousa, Pereira, Faqeehi; Kante, Fabinho; Diaby, Aouar, Bergwijn; Al Shehri

Match Prediction

Both teams are equally strong enough to get the better of each other. Looking at the squad depth in the Al Ittihad camp, we expect them to clinch a slender win over the Emirati side.

Prediction: Al Wahda 0-1 Al Ittihad

Telecast Details

India: FanCode

Saudi Arabia: Thmanyah

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