Al Ittihad vs Al Khaleej: Prediction, Team News, Lineups Revealed

Al Ittihad will face Al Khaleej at Alinma Stadium on Friday evening in the 24th round of the 2025-26 Saudi Pro League. The home team is eager to bounce back after two consecutive draws, while the visitors aim for their first win in nine matches.

Match Preview: Al Ittihad vs Al Khaleej

Al Ittihad has shown flashes of the strength that led them to last year’s championship, notably in a recent 1-1 draw with rivals Al Hilal. However, a subsequent 1-1 result against Al Hazem revealed ongoing struggles in their title defense. Currently, Al Ittihad sits sixth in the league table with 39 points from 23 matches, 17 points behind leaders Al Ahli.

The team has faced challenges with the departure of key players, Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté, who transferred to Al Hilal and Fenerbahce, respectively. Their performance in the upcoming AFC Champions League could provide a distraction as they gear up for a round of 16 match against Al Wahda.

Recent Form

• Unbeaten in five matches across all competitions.
• Frustrating league performance with only two wins in their last eight matches.

Al Khaleej’s Performance

Al Khaleej’s recent history has been tumultuous, ending last year with four consecutive losses. However, they managed to secure three wins and one draw in their first four games of 2026 before falling back into a slump. Currently, they sit ninth in the standings, just two points clear of relegation-threatened Al Hazem.

The Eagles have struggled defensively, conceding 37 goals this season. Although they possess the fifth-best attack in the league, scoring 42 goals, their defensive issues have hindered their overall performance.

Key Statistics

• Al Khaleej’s current winless streak stands at eight matches.
• They have not won any of their last 17 encounters against Al Ittihad.
• Ranked fifth in league scoring with 42 goals.

Team News

Al Ittihad will miss Saad Al Mousa, who has been sidelined since November due to an ankle injury. Several other players, including Abdulrahman Al-Oboud and Saleh Al-Shehri, are also unavailable. However, Hassan Kadesh returns after serving a suspension.

Joshua King, a key player with 14 goals this season, is a doubt for the match. Meanwhile, Kostas Fortounis, the league leader in assists, is expected to play a crucial role in the lineup.

Potential Lineups

Match Prediction

Despite their struggles this season, Al Ittihad has a solid home record, winning nine out of their last ten matches. They are favored to secure a narrow victory against Al Khaleej, who will need to defend tightly to have any chance of breaking their winless streak against the Jeddah giants.