Al Khaleej and Al-Ittihad are set to clash on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, as part of the 22nd round of the Saudi Pro League. The match will kick off at 14:00 (Brasilia time) at the Mohamed Bin Fahd Stadium, located in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. With Al Khaleej currently sitting at 10th place with 28 points, the upcoming game poses significant challenges for them against the top-ranked team, Al-Ittihad, which holds a commanding lead with 55 points.
Al-Ittihad enters this match on the back of stellar form, having recently secured a decisive 4-1 victory against their fierce rivals, Al-Hilal. This victory has solidified their position at the top of the league table, displaying their offensive capabilities with 54 goals scored and only 20 conceded throughout the season. Meanwhile, Al Khaleej has faced adversity, with their last match resulting in a goalless draw against Al-Feiha, extending their winless streak to four matches with two losses and two draws.
The historical record between these teams also heavily favors Al-Ittihad, which has triumphed over Al Khaleej 11 times out of the 14 encounters to date, with just three matches ending in draws. Last season, Al-Ittihad bested Al Khaleej by scores of 4-1 and 4-2, reflecting the growing disparity between their skill levels and team compositions.
Al Khaleej's squad is expected to field their strongest lineup, aiming to leverage their home advantage. They are led by Abdullah Al-Salem, the team's top scorer with 10 goals this season. Their expected formation includes players such as Sehic, Tisserand, and Rebocho. Their coach, Giorgios Donis, will need to inspire the team to regain their confidence and secure points to move up the standings.
Conversely, Al-Ittihad is enjoying tremendous success under the management of Laurent Blanc. The squad includes high-profile players like Karim Benzema, who has already netted 18 goals this season, and N'Golo Kanté. Their expected lineup features Rajkovic, Danilo, and Bergwijn, and the collective talent of the team has set them apart from others in the league.
Fans interested in watching the match will find it broadcast on Bandsports and available for streaming on Bandplay, with additional coverage on the channels' respective platforms. Given the stark difference in performance and capabilities between the two teams, analysts widely anticipate Al-Ittihad will emerge victorious. Their lower division position and recent performance slump suggest Al Khaleej will face significant challenges.
Betting odds reflect the heightened probability of Al-Ittihad securing another win, with many sportsbooks favoring their chances significantly. The expected outcomes could favor less than 2.5 goals, with odds indicating Al-Ittihad’s strong defensive record against Al Khaleej's lack of scoring form to date. Analysts suggest placing bets on Al-Ittihad's victory along with potential side bets on Benzema scoring during the match, as he continues to demonstrate his outstanding prowess on the field.