AIttihad will play Al Shabab on the venerable King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, a stadium with a capacity of 62,345, on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 Part of Round 16 of the Saudi Pro League, the game is set to start at 17:00 GTM+0. This meeting offers great stakes and exciting play as Al Ittihad battles to maintain pace at the top of the league and Al Shabab aims to break into the top four.
With Al Hilal deadlocked at 40 points with league leaders, the game is a turning point in the season because goal difference determines second due. Al Shabab, under new head coach Fatih Terim, will want to capitalize on their current momentum and confront a team that stays perfect at home this season.
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Team News: Al Ittihad
Thanks to the tactical discipline head coach Laurent Blanc has ingrained, Al Ittihad has been in outstanding form this season. Having only let out 11 goals, they have the joint-best defense and the second-best offensive in the league. Winning all eight of their Pro League games at the King Abdullah Sports City, their home form has been absolutely flawless.
Still, they raise some injury issues. Still underactive are Ahmed Mohammed Sharahili (cruciate ligament), Moussa Diaby (foot), and Saleh Al Shehri (muscle). Karim Benzema, with 11 goals this season, leads the line and is a fierce candidate for the Golden Boot despite these challenges.
Al Ittihad Results
Al Ittihad has displayed strong form across all competitions, consistently scoring goals and defending resolutely. Below is a summary of their recent matches:
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 16.01.25 | SPL | Al Ittihad vs Al Raed | 4-1 | W |
| 11.01.25 | SPL | Al Fayha vs Al Ittihad | 1-1 | D |
| 07.01.25 | KC | Al Hilal vs Al Ittihad | 2-3 | W |
| 20.12.24 | CF | Al Nassr vs Al Ittihad | 1-4 | W |
| 06.12.24 | SPL | Al Ittihad vs Al Nassr | 2-1 | W |
Team News: Al Shabab
Currently sixth in the rankings, Al Shab starts this game after a hard-fought 2-1 win against Al Riyadh. Under new coach Fatih Terim, the club has improved; they have won two of their previous three games. They still have to find an away victory under Terim, however, and this game offers a great test.
While goalkeeper Seung-Gyu Kim is gone for the season, injury worries center on Yannick Carrasco (muscle), Musab Al Juwayr (hamstring), and Fahad Al Muwallad (chest). Still, they depend on Abderrazak Hamdallah, the third-highest goal scorer in league history, to provide at crucial occasions.
Al Shabab Results
Al Shabab has had mixed results recently, showing resilience in some games while struggling against top opposition. Their recent matches are summarized below:
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 15.01.25 | SPL | Al Shabab vs Al Riyadh | 2-1 | W |
| 10.01.25 | SPL | Al Ahli vs Al Shabab | 3-2 | L |
| 06.01.25 | KC | Al Shabab vs Al Fayha | 2-1 | W |
| 05.12.24 | SPL | Al Shabab vs Al Fateh | 2-2 | D |
| 30.11.24 | SPL | Al Shabab vs Al Hilal | 1-2 | L |
Head-to-Head: Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab
Al Shabab has a little lead in recent games, so the previous five meetings between both clubs expose a fiercely battled rivalry. Their head-to-head results are listed here:
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 26.04.24 | SPL | Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab | 1-3 |
| 03.11.23 | SPL | Al Shabab vs Al Ittihad | 1-0 |
| 27.04.23 | SPL | Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab | 2-1 |
| 09.01.23 | SPL | Al Shabab vs Al Ittihad | 1-1 |
| 22.12.22 | KC | Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab | 2-1 |
Al Ittihad Predicted Lineup
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Rajkovic
Defenders: Al Shanqeeti, Pereira, Kadesh, Mitaj
Midfielders: Kante, Fabinho, Al-Oboud, Aouar
Forwards: Bergwijn, Benzema
Al Shabab Predicted Lineup
Formation: 3-4-3
Goalkeeper: Al-Mayouf
Defenders: Al-Thanii, Al-Sharari, Hoedt
Midfielders: Renan, Bonaventura, Aljuwayri, Guanca, Podence
Forwards: Podence, Camara, Hamdallah
Injured and Questionable Players
The result of this game can be much influenced by absences and injuries. The players below are uncertain or absent from selection owing to injury.
| Team | Player | Injury Type |
| Al Ittihad | Moussa Diaby | Foot |
| Al Ittihad | Saleh Al Shehri | Muscle |
| Al Ittihad | Ahmed Mohammed Sharahili | Cruciate Ligament |
| Al Shabab | Yannick Carrasco | Muscle |
| Al Shabab | Musab Al Juwayr | Hamstring |
| Al Shabab | Seung-Gyu Kim | Cruciate Ligament |
Both teams will need to adjust their strategies to account for these key absences, particularly with top performers missing in crucial areas of the pitch.
Key Points to Watch
Both teams enter this match with plenty of talking points. Below are some critical aspects to consider:
- Al Ittihad’s Perfect Home Record: Unbeaten at home this season, they will look to extend their dominant run;
- Karim Benzema’s Form: With 11 goals this season, Benzema is key to Al Ittihad’s attacking success;
- Defensive Stability: Al Shabab has conceded the fewest away goals (5), setting up an intriguing defensive battle;
- Injuries to Key Players: Both teams face absences that could influence the game;
- Momentum of Fatih Terim’s Arrival: Al Shabab’s new coach has brought energy but is yet to deliver away wins;
- Head-to-Head History: Al Shabab’s recent edge adds intrigue to this encounter;
- Al Ittihad’s Recent Form: Dominant performances highlight their readiness for the title race;
- Hamdallah’s Scoring Potential: As a historic scorer, Hamdallah remains a threat for Al Shabab.
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Free Tips on Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab
Examining historical performance and present patterns can help one make informed decisions when ready to gamble on Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab. These pointers center on team performance, head-to-head contacts, and contextual elements influencing the game. These five suggestions will enable you to decide with knowledge for this important Saudi Pro League game:
- Review Head-to-Head Trends: Al Shabab has won two of their last three matches against Al Ittihad, showcasing their ability to challenge even the strongest teams. However, Al Ittihad’s perfect home record this season could play a decisive role.
- Consider Recent Form: Al Ittihad comes into this match with dominant performances at home, scoring 25 goals in eight league matches. In contrast, Al Shabab’s away form under their new coach remains unproven, which could work against them.
- Evaluate Home vs. Away Performance: Al Ittihad thrives in front of their passionate fans at King Abdullah Sports City, while Al Shabab has struggled to secure points on the road. This disparity in venue performance could heavily influence the outcome.
- Injuries and Suspensions: Both teams face significant absences. Al Ittihad will miss key attackers like Moussa Diaby and Saleh Al Shehri, while Al Shabab could be without Yannick Carrasco and Musab Al Juwayr, weakening their creative options.
- Impact of Team Motivation: With Al Ittihad locked in a title race and Al Shabab fighting for Champions League qualification, both teams are under pressure to deliver. Expect intense gameplay, but Al Ittihad’s title aspirations may give them an edge in determination.
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Match Prediction: Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab Prediction 2025
Al Ittihad is the favorite to guarantee a victory with their perfect home record and offensive strength. Still, one cannot ignore Al Shabab’s defensive resilience and recent advances under Terim. The hosts have a little chance of winning, hence this game is probably quite close-ended.
Our Prediction:
Al Ittihad 2-1 Al Shabab
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Result | Al Ittihad to Win | 1.61 |
| Both Teams to Score | Yes | 1.63 |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 Goals | 1.57 |
Place your bet on the match – Al Ittihad vs Al Shabab at bc.game and benefit from our free and expert predictions. Don’t miss out on this thrilling clash!
