Ittihad Tanger vs Raja Casablanca on 28 June
The Grand Stade de Tanger is set to host a captivating Botola Pro clash on 28 June as Ittihad Tanger welcome Raja Casablanca for Matchday 28 of the 2025/2026 season. This fixture carries significant weight for both sides, albeit for different reasons. With the season entering its decisive phase, the outcome could have major implications for the continental qualification race as well as the mid-table dynamics. Weather conditions are expected to be typical for a summer evening in Tangier, with warm temperatures around 24-26°C and high humidity. These conditions could test the players' endurance and potentially slow down the tempo of the game, which might lead to a more measured approach in the opening stages as both sides adapt.
Ittihad Tanger: Form and Analysis
Ittihad Tanger enters this match with a surge of momentum, having won four of their last five league matches. This impressive run has propelled them into seventh place, accumulating 32 points from 25 games. Their recent attacking output has been particularly promising, scoring seven goals while conceding only three in that span. This defensive solidity has been absent for much of the campaign. Key victories over top sides like Wydad Casablanca (2-1) and a 1-0 win against MAS Fes highlight their capability to compete with the league's elite. This run has been built on a balanced tactical approach, transitioning effectively from defence to attack.
Offensively, the team relies on forward Haitam El Bahja, who leads the scoring charts for the club with five league goals. Playmaker Abdelhamid Maali is a crucial creative force, leading the team with seven assists and underlining his importance in breaking down opposition defences. Their overall goal-scoring record of 24 goals in 26 matches shows they are not a free-scoring side, but their recent form suggests they are becoming more clinical. At home, Ittihad have been resilient, with a record of four wins, seven draws, and only two losses. Their average of 1.28 points per game reflects a team that is difficult to beat but occasionally struggles to turn draws into victories.
Raja Casablanca: Form and Analysis
Raja Casablanca are locked in a fierce battle for a top-three finish and currently sit third in the standings with 49 points from 26 matches, boasting a record of 14 wins, seven draws, and five losses. Their defence has been a fortress, conceding only 16 goals so far, which is the second-best record in the league, underpinned by 14 clean sheets. However, their recent form has been inconsistent, with two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five games. This included a surprising 2-0 loss to Kawkab Marrakech and a 1-1 draw at home to Union Touarga, results that will worry the coaching staff.
The Green Eagles' attack is spearheaded by Adam Ennaffati, who has netted six goals this season. Mohamed Al Makaazi is the team's primary creator, registering three assists. The team has shown a tendency to be involved in low-scoring matches, with an average of just 1.84 total goals per game, reflecting their strong defensive organisation. A key area of concern for Raja has been their scoring efficiency on the road. Despite having a strong away record of six wins, three draws, and two losses, they have scored just 15 goals in 11 away matches, a rate significantly lower than the league's top contenders. This suggests a tendency to be more cautious when playing away from their home fortress.
Head-to-Head History
The historical head-to-head record between these two teams often produces tight and fiercely contested matches. In their most recent encounter on 30 November 2025, the two sides played out a goalless draw. This result highlighted the defensive strength of both units and the difficulty of breaking each other down. Analysing the last five meetings, which includes two wins for Raja Casablanca and three draws, reveals a clear trend: there is very little to separate them. The total number of goals scored in these fixtures is notably low, with only one match featuring more than a single goal, underscoring the tactical and physical nature of these derbies. The inability of either side to dominate this fixture suggests that the psychological edge is neutral, and matches are often decided by set-pieces or individual moments of brilliance.
Match Prediction
This match features a fascinating tactical battle between a resurgent Ittihad Tanger side and a defensively sound but inconsistent Raja Casablanca. Ittihad's recent form is superior to Raja's, giving them a clear psychological advantage, especially playing on home soil. Raja's primary strength lies in their resolute defence and ability to keep clean sheets, which has been their cornerstone for the season. However, their attacking output has waned on the road, and they may find it difficult to break down a confident Ittihad defence that has conceded just three goals in their last five games.
Ittihad Tanger will likely adopt a pragmatic approach, aiming to stifle Raja's midfield play and capitalise on counter-attacks, utilising the pace of their forwards. Raja, conversely, will be content to absorb pressure and look to exploit set-piece opportunities or moments of individual class from players like Ennaffati. Given Raja's strong defence and Ittihad's newfound solidity, this game is unlikely to be a high-scoring affair. The pressure may be more on Raja, who cannot afford to drop too many points in the title race. However, Ittihad's momentum is a powerful force. A low-scoring draw seems the most probable outcome, but a narrow victory for either side, likely by a single goal, would not be a surprise. A 1-1 scoreline is a strong possibility, with the potential for the game to be decided by a set-piece or a defensive lapse.
Final View
This Botola Pro encounter on 28 June is poised to be a clash of contrasting styles and ambitions. Ittihad Tanger's recent blistering form makes them a dangerous opponent at home, while Raja Casablanca's league position and defensive record speak to their consistency. The key to the match will likely be which team can assert their dominance in midfield and convert their chances. Raja's ability to cope with the high humidity and pressure of a home crowd, coupled with Ittihad's in-form attack, will be the decisive factors in determining the final result.
