Al Ittihad vs Al-Taawoun Preview: Prediction, Team News, Lineups
Al Ittihad will host Al-Taawoun in an exciting Saudi Pro League match at King Abdullah Sports City on Saturday evening. Both teams are eager to secure maximum points as they kick off 2026. The home side aims for a fourth consecutive league victory after their recent 3-1 win over Neom SC. Meanwhile, Al-Taawoun looks to extend their winning streak following a narrow victory over Al Najma.
Match Preview: Al Ittihad vs Al-Taawoun
Al Ittihad, the defending champions, started the 2025-26 season with ambitions to claim their third domestic title in four years. They got off to a strong start with three straight victories. However, a four-match winless streak followed, prompting a management change as Sergio Conceicao replaced Laurent Blanc. Under Conceicao, the team has bounced back, winning five consecutive matches with a combined score of 16-2, showing their attacking and defensive strengths.
Despite their resurgence, Al Ittihad trails Al-Nassr by 11 points in the league standings. They remain competitive for the King’s Cup and the AFC Champions League, which gives them prospects for silverware this season. Historically, Al Ittihad has had the upper hand against Al-Taawoun, remaining unbeaten in their last four encounters, including two wins last season.
Al-Taawoun’s Impressive Form
Al-Taawoun is eager to break the dominance of the traditional ‘big four’ in the Saudi Pro League. They have been the surprise package this season, with Roger Martinez netting an 85th-minute winner in their recent 1-0 victory over Al Najma. This win marked their ninth triumph in ten league matches, with only a 1-1 draw against Neom interrupting their success. Al-Taawoun is currently third in the standings with 28 points, just one behind Al Hilal and two shy of Al-Nassr.
Additionally, Al-Taawoun boasts an impressive away record, winning all five of their away matches to remain the only team in the league with a perfect away record. Nevertheless, they face a significant challenge against Al Ittihad, as they have not won in their last seven visits to Jeddah.
Team News
- Al Ittihad: Saad Al Mousa remains sidelined with a broken ankle, while Houssem Aouar is out due to a muscle injury. Steven Bergwijn continues to shine, contributing significantly with two goals and an assist in his last three matches.
- Al-Taawoun: Musa Barrow is unavailable due to a knee ligament injury. Angelo Fulgini is recovering and expected to return soon, while Muteb Al Mufarrij is back after serving a suspension.
Possible Lineups
| Al Ittihad | Al-Taawoun |
|---|---|
| Rajkovic | Mailson |
| Kadesh | Mahzari |
| Sharahili | Girotto |
| Pereira | Al Ahmad |
| Al Shanqiti | Al Dossari |
| Fabinho | El Mahdioui |
| Kante | Al Kuwaykibi |
| Roger | Flavio |
| Bergwijn | Zambrano |
| Diaby | Mandash |
| Benzema | Martinez |
As the match approaches, anticipation builds for this engaging clash. Al Ittihad aims to extend their impressive form, while Al-Taawoun seeks redemption against their historical struggles in Jeddah. The expectation is for a competitive match, with a predicted scoreline favoring the hosts at 2-1.
