Al-Ittihad Jeddah vs Al-Akhdoud on January 26
The stage is set for an intriguing clash between Al-Ittihad Jeddah and Al-Akhdoud on January 26 in the Saudi Pro League. With both teams coming into the match with distinct aspirations, this encounter promises to deliver high stakes and intense action. Al-Ittihad Jeddah, firmly entrenched in the title race, will look to strengthen their grip on the top spots, while Al-Akhdoud, positioned in the lower half, will be fighting to secure their top-flight status. The atmosphere at the King Abdullah Sports City promises to be electric as fans witness a critical moment in the tournament. Will Al-Ittihad assert their dominance, or can Al-Akhdoud pull off a surprising result? The match will be an exciting spectacle. Weather conditions are expected to be clear, with temperatures around 20°C, ensuring optimal playing conditions for both teams.
Al-Ittihad Jeddah: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Al-Ittihad Jeddah enters this match in formidable form, winning four of their last five games. Under the guidance of their tactical mastermind, the team has been heavily relying on a 4-3-3 formation, which allows them to dominate possession while exploiting the wide areas. Their build-up play is quick and direct, with an emphasis on crossing and delivering balls into the box. Al-Ittihad has been generating an impressive 60% possession on average, with key passing metrics reflecting their ability to retain and move the ball efficiently in the final third.
Defensively, Al-Ittihad plays with a high line and utilizes a pressing strategy to win back possession quickly. The high press has been one of their defining features, forcing errors from opposition defenders. Their expected goals (xG) have consistently been in the upper range, with 1.8 goals per game over the past five matches. They will look to exploit Al-Akhdoud's weaker defensive transitions and capitalize on set-piece situations.
Key Players: In-form forward Abderrazak Hamdallah has been the key to Al-Ittihad's attacking success, contributing significantly with both goals and assists. The midfielder, Tarek Hamed, plays a pivotal role in controlling the tempo, while goalkeeper Marcelo Grohe has been a rock at the back. However, Al-Ittihad will be without key defender Ahmed Hegazi, who is suspended due to a yellow card accumulation, which could leave them vulnerable defensively.
Al-Akhdoud: Tactical Approach and Current Form
Al-Akhdoud enters this clash struggling with form, having won just one of their last five matches. Their tactical setup revolves around a 4-4-2 formation, prioritizing a compact defense and counter-attacking play. They rely on quick transitions, looking to exploit spaces left behind by opposing full-backs when attacking. Al-Akhdoud's pass accuracy is relatively low, averaging around 75%, which highlights their direct and less-controlled approach in possession.
While their defensive organization has been generally solid, their pressing is less intense than that of Al-Ittihad. Their defensive vulnerabilities have been exposed in previous matches, with an average of 1.6 goals conceded per game. However, Al-Akhdoud has shown resilience in the final third, creating significant chances on the break, with an xG of 1.2 in their last five fixtures.
Key Players: Forward Mário Sérgio has been the standout performer, scoring crucial goals and providing assists. The central midfield duo of Khaled Al-Muwallad and Mohamed Buaytia will have to step up defensively to prevent Al-Ittihad from controlling the tempo. Al-Akhdoud also has injury concerns, as both their starting full-backs, Ahmed Al-Rushaidi and Khaled Al-Saud, are sidelined, leaving them with fewer options at the back and more defensive responsibilities on the remaining players.
Head-to-Head: History and Psychology
Historically, Al-Ittihad has dominated this fixture, winning four of the last five encounters between the two sides. The most recent match was a comfortable 3-1 victory for Al-Ittihad, where they exploited Al-Akhdoud’s defensive frailties. Al-Akhdoud’s solitary win came back in 2020, a 2-0 upset that highlighted their ability to surprise stronger sides when they defend resolutely and hit on the counter.
Psychologically, Al-Ittihad enters as the overwhelming favorite, carrying the weight of expectation and the desire to maintain their title charge. In contrast, Al-Akhdoud will feel the pressure, knowing they need points to avoid falling further into the relegation zone. This could lead to an aggressive and fiery approach from the underdogs, especially in the early stages of the game.
Key Battles and Critical Zones
The first key battle to watch is between Al-Ittihad’s winger, Abdulrahman Al-Obaid, and Al-Akhdoud's right-back, Khaled Al-Saud. With Al-Saud missing from the match, Al-Akhdoud's defensive balance will be tested, and Al-Obaid's ability to exploit that space could be decisive.
Another crucial battle will be in midfield, where Al-Ittihad’s Tarek Hamed will face off against Al-Akhdoud’s Mohamed Buaytia. Hamed’s passing range and ability to dictate tempo will be vital in unlocking Al-Akhdoud’s defensive structure. If Al-Akhdoud can disrupt Hamed’s influence, they may stand a better chance of stifling Al-Ittihad’s attacks.
Match Scenario and Prediction
Based on the current form and tactical setups, Al-Ittihad is likely to dominate possession and take control of the game from the outset. Expect them to play a high press and look to create overloads in wide areas to break down Al-Akhdoud’s defense. With key injuries and suspensions affecting Al-Akhdoud’s defensive setup, it’s hard to see them causing too many problems for Al-Ittihad at the other end of the pitch.
Al-Akhdoud will need to stay compact and exploit the space on the counter-attack. However, without key personnel and with Al-Ittihad’s attacking quality, they are likely to be overrun in midfield. Prediction: Al-Ittihad Jeddah 3-1 Al-Akhdoud.
Final Thoughts
Al-Ittihad enters this match as strong favorites and will look to assert their title credentials with a comfortable victory. For Al-Akhdoud, it’s a case of battling to the end, but with injuries and tactical limitations, it will be a difficult ask. The key question is: Can Al-Ittihad’s attacking prowess break down a depleted Al-Akhdoud defense?
