Al-Ahli Jeddah vs Al-Taawoun Buraydah on 14 January
The stage is set for a thrilling encounter in the Saudi Pro League as Al-Ahli Jeddah take on Al-Taawoun Buraydah at the King Abdullah Sports City on January 14. With both teams eyeing key points for different reasons, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Al-Ahli Jeddah are pushing for the top spot in the league, while Al-Taawoun Buraydah are fighting to cement their position in the upper half of the table. The clash promises to be tactical, intense, and full of drama.
Al-Ahli Jeddah: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Al-Ahli Jeddah enter this match in excellent form, having won four of their last five matches in the Saudi Pro League. Their attacking setup has been one of the most efficient in the league, scoring an average of 2.3 goals per game during this stretch. Coach Matthias Jaissle has built a side that thrives on quick transitions and high pressing. Their 4-3-3 formation often shifts into a more fluid 4-2-3-1 during attacking phases, creating overloads in wide areas. Al-Ahli's ability to move the ball from defense to attack with pace is evident in their average of 55% possession, with an impressive 81% pass accuracy in the final third.
Defensively, Al-Ahli’s pressing game has been relentless, with an average of 14.2 pressing actions per game, making it difficult for opponents to build from the back. Their backline is disciplined, but still vulnerable against high pressing sides. The team has allowed 1.1 goals per game over the last five fixtures, indicating some defensive frailties that could be exploited by a side like Al-Taawoun, known for their direct style.
Key Player: Omar Al-Somah continues to be Al-Ahli's attacking talisman, contributing heavily to their goalscoring output. His physical presence and aerial ability make him a constant threat in set-piece situations and crosses into the box. In midfield, Renato Augusto plays a pivotal role in dictating the tempo of the game, orchestrating attacks with his vision and technical skills. However, Al-Ahli will be without left-back Ayman Al-Hamadi, who is suspended after accumulating yellow cards, leaving them vulnerable on the left side.
Al-Taawoun Buraydah: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Al-Taawoun Buraydah, in contrast, have been inconsistent over their last five matches, with two wins, two losses, and a draw. Their tactical setup revolves around a 4-4-2 formation, focusing on a solid defensive base and counter-attacking play. They are a compact side, often sitting deep and looking to exploit space in transition. Al-Taawoun averages only 47% possession, but they are lethal on the counter, with 1.8 goals per game in the last five outings, largely due to their rapid transitions and clinical finishing.
Despite their defensive resilience, Al-Taawoun’s low pressing intensity (averaging just 7.5 pressing actions per match) means they are more passive when out of possession. They rely on their goalkeeper, Mosaad Al-Moataz, to make crucial saves, especially against teams that dominate the ball, like Al-Ahli. Their defensive record of conceding 1.4 goals per game points to a slight vulnerability, particularly when facing high-pressing sides that expose gaps in their setup.
Key Player: Al-Taawoun's attacking threat comes from their dynamic wingers, with Fabio Abreu’s pace and dribbling skills offering an outlet on the break. In central midfield, Mohamed Fouzair is the creative engine, threading key passes and controlling the rhythm of Al-Taawoun’s counters. The team will be without their first-choice center-back, Saad Al-Muwallad, who is suspended due to a red card, which could affect their defensive organization against Al-Ahli’s attackers.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
The last five meetings between Al-Ahli Jeddah and Al-Taawoun Buraydah have been competitive, with Al-Ahli winning three of those encounters and Al-Taawoun claiming two victories. In their most recent meeting earlier this season, Al-Ahli triumphed 3-1, with their pressing game and clinical finishing proving decisive. Al-Taawoun, while competitive, struggled to cope with the high intensity of Al-Ahli’s pressing, conceding possession cheaply in dangerous areas.
Historically, Al-Ahli has dominated the fixture, but Al-Taawoun has often proved difficult to break down, especially in matches where they set up deep and counter quickly. This dynamic makes this encounter particularly interesting, as Al-Ahli will look to assert their dominance with the ball, while Al-Taawoun will rely on their defensive discipline and counter-attacks to cause problems.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
The most crucial individual battle will be between Al-Ahli’s attacking midfielder Renato Augusto and Al-Taawoun’s defensive midfielders. Augusto’s ability to control the tempo and unlock Al-Taawoun’s defense with through balls will be central to Al-Ahli’s success. If Al-Taawoun can contain him and disrupt his rhythm, they will have a better chance of nullifying Al-Ahli’s attacking threat.
Another pivotal battle will occur between Al-Ahli’s right-back Mohamed Al-Buraik and Al-Taawoun’s left-winger Fabio Abreu. Abreu’s pace and dribbling ability pose a significant threat in one-on-one situations. Al-Buraik’s defensive positioning and recovery pace will be tested to the limit as Al-Taawoun looks to exploit the wide areas and launch fast breaks.
The central defensive pairing for both teams will also play a crucial role. With Al-Ahli missing Ayman Al-Hamadi, their right-back position will be under pressure, particularly when defending crosses into the box. Al-Taawoun’s ability to target this weakness, especially through aerial duels and set-piece situations, could be a decisive factor in the game.
Match Scenario and Prediction
This match will likely unfold with Al-Ahli dominating possession and territory, pushing Al-Taawoun back into a compact defensive shape. Al-Taawoun will look to absorb pressure and break quickly, relying on the speed of Abreu and the creativity of Fouzair to counter. The game will be decided by how well Al-Taawoun can withstand the pressing and how effectively they can transition from defense to attack. Al-Ahli’s attacking quality and pressing game make them the favorites, but Al-Taawoun’s resilience and counter-attacking prowess ensure this will be a difficult challenge.
Prediction: Al-Ahli Jeddah 2-1 Al-Taawoun Buraydah. Al-Ahli’s superior attacking strength and pressing game should see them edge this contest, but Al-Taawoun will make them work hard for the three points.
Final Thoughts
With both teams having contrasting styles, this match will be a tactical battle between possession dominance and counter-attacking efficiency. Al-Ahli’s high pressing and attacking intent make them favorites, but Al-Taawoun’s ability to exploit spaces on the break could turn the tide in their favor. The key will be whether Al-Taawoun can cope with the intensity and pressurize Al-Ahli’s defense during moments of transition. Will Al-Ahli's dominance win out, or can Al-Taawoun's tactical discipline frustrate the leaders?
