Al-Ittihad Vs Al-Okhdood

Following a recent setback in their campaign, Saudi Pro League leaders Al Ittihad will look to reinforce their dominance in the title race as they prepare to face Al Okhdood at King Abdullah Sports City this Sunday.

Having already secured a 2-1 victory in their previous encounter in October, Al Ittihad will now aim to achieve back-to-back league doubles over Al Okhdood since the latter's promotion to the top tier.

After an emphatic 4-1 triumph over Al-Hilal, Al Ittihad had extended their lead at the top of the standings to seven points, placing them in prime position to secure the league title. However, their grip on the top spot has loosened slightly after being held to a 1-1 draw by Al Khaleej on Wednesday, allowing their nearest competitors a glimmer of hope.

Just over a day after Al-Hilal emphatically dismantled Al Kholood with a 5-1 victory, Al Ittihad had the opportunity to reinstate their full lead at the summit of the table. However, their trip to the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium did not go as planned, as they were forced to settle for a single point. Laurent Blanc’s side seemed destined to collect all three points after Abdulrahman Al Obud found the back of the net just 12 minutes before full-time, but a late penalty conversion by Konstantinos Fortounis in stoppage time dashed their hopes.

That disappointing result put an end to a four-match winning streak for Al Ittihad. In addition, their defensive vulnerabilities have persisted, as they have now failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 matches across all competitions since the turn of the year. This is in stark contrast to their defensive solidity towards the end of 2024, during which they managed six clean sheets in their final eight fixtures.

Despite their recent struggles in defense, Al Ittihad have remained an offensive powerhouse. Their attacking prowess has been evident throughout February, as they have netted a staggering 15 goals in just five matches—at least two more than any other team during this period. Their ability to consistently find the back of the net has helped offset their defensive frailties, ensuring they remain in strong contention for the title.

On the other hand, Al Okhdood have been embroiled in a grueling battle for survival. After narrowly avoiding relegation in their debut top-flight campaign last season, they were always expected to struggle again this time around, and their performances have largely reflected that prediction.

Stjepan Tomas's side endured a difficult start to the season, securing just one point from their opening four matches. Their first victory of the campaign finally arrived on September 28, when they staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Al Fateh 4-2. However, that win failed to spark a turnaround in form, as they have since collected only 12 points from a possible 51, leaving them second from bottom in the league standings, three points away from safety.

With 12 matches still remaining in the season, Al Okhdood certainly have enough time to claw their way out of danger. However, their biggest concern lies in their attacking output, as they have managed to score just once in their last five outings. If they are to improve their survival prospects, they must find a way to address their issues in front of goal and rediscover the scoring touch that eludes them.

This weekend presents a crucial opportunity for Al Okhdood to make a significant leap forward in their fight against relegation. A victory could potentially lift them out of the bottom three, but the challenge ahead is daunting. To achieve a positive result, they will have to produce their best performance of the season, as they have never managed to avoid defeat against Al Ittihad in their previous encounters.

As the two sides prepare to clash on Sunday, Al Ittihad will be eager to regain their winning momentum and solidify their position at the top, while Al Okhdood will be fighting tooth and nail to secure vital points in their quest for survival. The stakes are high for both teams, setting the stage for an intense and gripping encounter.