Al-Taawoun Vs Al-Ittihad

Engaged in a tense and exhilarating Saudi Pro League title race, Al Ittihad embark on a crucial away fixture against Al Taawoun on Thursday for matchday 19. With their sights firmly set on securing the top spot, the visitors will be eager to claim all three points in what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter.

Al Ittihad currently sit in second place with an impressive record of 15 wins, one draw, and two losses, accumulating 46 points—level with leaders Al Hilal but trailing on goal difference. A victory on Thursday would allow them to momentarily take the lead, pending the outcome of Al Hilal’s clash with Damac two days later. Meanwhile, Al Taawoun have secured 24 points from a possible 54, placing them in ninth position and eager to improve their standing.

The People's Club enter this matchup with renewed confidence following a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory against Al Kholood at King Abdullah Sports City last weekend. In a dramatic turn of events, Laurent Blanc’s men overturned a two-goal deficit to snatch all three points. After suffering a demoralizing defeat to Damac in their prior outing, Al Ittihad found themselves in danger of back-to-back losses when they conceded twice within the first 23 minutes. However, goals from Abdulrahman Alobud and Steven Bergwijn leveled the score just before halftime, setting the stage for a commanding second-half performance.

Al Ittihad's resurgence was spearheaded by Hassan Kadesh, who put his side ahead, while Bergwijn completed his brace to extend the lead. Despite Myziane Maolida’s stoppage-time goal for Al Kholood, it proved only a consolation as the hosts maintained their perfect home league record. With 10 victories in 10 home matches this season, Al Ittihad have demonstrated formidable dominance on their turf. However, their away form presents a different challenge, with only 16 points collected from a possible 24, making Thursday's clash a pivotal test of their title credentials. If they fail to secure a win, they risk suffering consecutive away defeats for the first time this campaign.

On the attacking front, Al Ittihad have netted 13 goals in their away matches, placing them as the joint-fourth most prolific team on the road. Defensively, they have been even more impressive, conceding just seven times—the joint-fewest in the league. Their previous encounter with Al Taawoun in August ended in a 2-1 victory, and a repeat success would mark only their second-ever league double over their opponents, the first being achieved in the 2019-20 season.

In contrast, Al Taawoun's recent performances have been inconsistent, oscillating between moments of brilliance and frustration. They produced a commanding 3-0 victory over Al Qadsiah but followed it up with a 1-1 draw against Al Nassr before succumbing to a narrow 1-0 loss against Al Riyadh. Seeking greater stability, the Wolves adopted a more cautious approach in their subsequent fixtures, resulting in consecutive goalless draws against Al Orobah and Al Fayha. Their clash with the latter was particularly uneventful, with neither team registering a single shot on target.

Al Taawoun’s inability to find the back of the net in recent outings is a growing concern, as they have now gone three consecutive matches without scoring. With just 18 goals this season, they rank as the fifth-least effective attacking side in the league. However, their defensive record tells a different story, as they have conceded only 16 goals—making them the third-best defensive unit in the competition.

Adding to their woes, Al Taawoun’s home form has been underwhelming, as they have failed to secure a victory in their last three league matches on home soil. Their most recent home win came nearly three months ago against Al Okhdood, highlighting their struggles to capitalize on home advantage.

With both teams having contrasting fortunes and ambitions this season, Thursday’s fixture is set to be an intriguing battle. Al Ittihad will aim to continue their title push with a crucial away victory, while Al Taawoun will look to break their winless streak and improve their standing in the league. As the season progresses, every point becomes increasingly vital, and both teams will be eager to put on a strong display in pursuit of their respective goals.