Al-Ittihad Jeddah vs Al-Riyadh: Saudi Pro League Showdown at King Abdullah Sports City! 🏟️

Strap in, Saudi football faithful! 🔥 The Saudi Pro League Matchday 9 erupts tonight as Al-Ittihad Jeddah welcome Al-Riyadh to King Abdullah Sports City on November 21, 2025. Kick-off at 6:15 PM AST (3:15 PM GMT, 10:15 AM ET), and this clash pits the Tigers—desperate to halt a five-game winless skid—against the visitors scrapping for survival. Can Sergio Conceição's men rediscover their bite with Benzema's magic, or will Al-Riyadh snag a shock to climb from the drop zone? Let’s rip into the form, tactics, and fearless predictions! ⚽

TODAY'S PREDICTIONS

• Both team to score - YES

• Total Goals - Over 1.5

• First team to score - Ittihad Jeddah

• Ittihad Jeddah Win

You can place your bets today through various betting sites such as: Betpawa, Sokabet , Sportybet, BetWinner etc.

Current Form and Context

Al-Ittihad Jeddah, languishing in 8th with 14 points (4-2-3), are in turmoil: winless in five league games (L3, D2), including a 1-0 derby loss to Al Ahli and a 2-1 stumble at Al-Sharjah. They've scored 15 goals and conceded 14 (avg. 1.9 scored per game), but defensive woes (10 conceded in that skid) plague them. Home form offers hope: unbeaten in four at King Abdullah (W3, D1), with 9 goals in their last five outings showing attacking intent. Conceição, in since October, seeks his first league win—pressure's mounting.

Al-Riyadh, 12th with 10 points (2-4-3), are battling relegation shadows after three straight losses, capped by a 2-0 defeat to Al-Fateh. They've netted just 9 goals and conceded 16 (avg. 1.1 scored), with one clean sheet in five. Away record: grim (W1, D1, L3), but a 1-1 draw at Al-Nassr hints at resilience. Antonio José de Carvalho's vision (3 assists) and Mamadou Sylla (4 goals) are lifelines—upset potential in transitions.

Historical Head-to-Head

Al-Ittihad dominate: unbeaten in 12 straight meetings (W10, D2), outscoring Al-Riyadh 28-4 (avg. 2.7 goals). The reverse fixture last season ended 2-1 to Ittihad, with Benzema netting the winner. Recent clashes low-scoring: under 2.5 in 4/5, and Ittihad's last four wins all clean sheets. At King Abdullah, they've won the last six (15-0 aggregate)—Riyadh's nightmare return.

Team News and Tactical Insights

Al-Ittihad miss Muath Faqeehi (injury) and possibly Awad Al Nashri (knock), but Karim Benzema (3 goals in 5) leads the line. Conceição’s 4-2-3-1 emphasizes midfield steel (N’Golo Kanté/Fabinho duo, 85% pass rate) and wide threats: Steven Bergwijn (5 goals) and Moussa Diaby (5 assists) bomb forward. Predrag Rajković's 75% save rate anchors goal, but expect high press to force errors—9 shots on target avg. at home. Predicted XI: Rajković; Al Shanqeeti, Pereira, Kadesh, Mitaj; Kanté, Fabinho; Al-Bishi, Aouar, Bergwijn; Benzema. 🐅

Al-Riyadh sweat on no majors, but rely on Sylla (4 goals) up top. Coach Fidel Ambriz’s 4-4-2 packs compactness for counters (42% possession avg.), with De Carvalho (3 assists) launching from deep. Mamadou Sylla and Knowledge Bouli (2 goals) hunt in tandem, while Abdulrahman Al Rajhi's clearances (4.2 per game) hold the fort. Set-pieces their spark (3.1 corners avg.)—damage limitation mode. Predicted XI: Nwakaeme; Al-Khaibari, Jeon, Al-Sharani, Al-Hamsal; Bouyali, De Carvalho, Nwankwo, Al-Awfi; Sylla, Bouli. 🦅

Match Details

• Date and Time: November 21, 2025, 6:15 PM AST (3:15 PM GMT, 10:15 AM ET)

• Venue: King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah (Capacity: 62,345)

• Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)

• Weather: 28°C, clear—hot for a high-stakes night

💰 Betting View

• Bet on Match Winner: Al-Ittihad ✅ (1.68 odds, home dominance, H2H edge)

• Both Teams to Score Bet (BTTS): ❌ NO (1.85 odds, Ittihad's clean sheets vs Riyadh)

• Over 2.5 Bet on Goals: 🔥 VALUE (2.00 odds, Ittihad's 1.9 avg., Riyadh's leaks)

• Bet on Anytime Scorer: Karim Benzema ⚡ (+140 odds, 3 goals, haunts defenses)

• Correct Score Bet: 2-0

Prediction and Key Factors

Ittihad's home fortress (W3 in 4) and H2H stranglehold (12 unbeaten) overpower Riyadh's woes (L3, 1 goal in 3). Tigers' midfield bite (Kanté/Fabinho stifle counters) meets Riyadh's transitions, but Benzema/Bergwijn feast on gaps (9 goals in 5). Riyadh's grit (1-1 vs Nassr) adds spice, but 0 goals in 3/4 vs Ittihad screams shutout. Conceição's first win? Likely—offensive gulf (9-3 in last 5) decides.

Prediction: Al-Ittihad Jeddah 2-0 Al-Riyadh. Benzema opens, Bergwijn seals—clean sheet ends skid, Ittihad climb to 6th. Riyadh drop deeper. 🌟

Why This Match Matters

Ittihad (8th) halt their slide and eye top-four; Riyadh (12th) need points to breathe vs relegation. Jeddah's roar vs Riyadh's resolve—a Pro League tale of tigers vs survivors.

Your call, Tigers or Royals? Drop your score predictions below and join us for the post-match meltdown! 🗣️ Stay locked for more Saudi Pro League infernos and live reactions.

You can place your bets today through various betting sites such as: Betpawa, Sokabet , Sportybet, BetWinner etc.