Al-Ittihad vs Al-Ettifaq prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups - 16 January 2026
One of the fixtures of the 16th round of the Saudi Pro League will take place on Friday at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, where the local side Al-Ittihad will host Al-Ettifaq. Let’s take a look at a betting option for this clash that offers solid chances of success.
Match preview
The reigning Saudi champions, Al-Ittihad, are showing solid progress — their seven-match winning streak was only snapped by a draw against Damac in the previous round. Sergio Conceição’s side is steadily climbing the table and aiming for a top-three finish, despite trailing the league leaders.
The defensive reliability deserves special mention: in their last eight matches, the Jeddah club has not conceded more than one goal in any game, and at home, they’ve kept three clean sheets. Absences in midfield (Fabinho suspended and Doumbia out) might affect the balance, but the squad’s depth allows them to patch up the gaps and maintain control, especially against an inconsistent opponent.
Al-Ettifaq also put together an impressive unbeaten run, but in the previous round, they suffered a defeat to Al-Khaleej, ending their seven-match streak. Overall, the Dammam side shows character but consistently lacks stability — their winning runs are limited to just two games in a row, and they regularly struggle against stronger teams.
The squad situation is far from ideal: Ahmed Hassan is injured again, and key holding midfielder Duda is suspended. Given their poor head-to-head record against Al-Ittihad, especially away where they lose regularly, getting a result here looks extremely tough. This is even more apparent considering their limited attacking potential and a defense that is far from solid.
Probable lineups
- Al-Ittihad: Rajkovic, Sharahili, Pereira, Kadesh, Al-Shanqeeti, Kante, Al-Julaidan, Fernandes, Bergwijn, Diaby, Benzema
- Al-Ettifaq: Rodak, Hendry, Hindi, Khateeb, Calvo, Medran, Ali, Al-Ghamdi, Wijnaldum, Nkota, Dembele
Match facts and head-to-head
- In five of the last eight meetings between these teams, over 3.5 goals have been scored.
- Al-Ettifaq have won just one of their last eight matches against Al-Ittihad.
- In four of the last six head-to-head encounters, at least one team failed to score.
Prediction
Al-Ittihad’s form and momentum make them clear favorites at home — especially given their strong run in the league and the advantage of their own stadium. The midfield absences may affect control, but the Jeddah side’s defense is stable and confident. Al-Ettifaq, meanwhile, are again missing several key players and look vulnerable both in attack and at the back.
