Al-Ittihad vs Al-Gharafa: who will be more successful in the fight for the AFC Champions League play-offs?
As part of the seventh round of the Saudi Professional League, we are set for a clash between Al-Ittihad and Al-Gharafa. The match kicks off at 19:15 CET, and I am offering a betting pick for this encounter.
Al-Ittihad vs Al-Gharafa: match facts and head-to-head
- In their previous four matches, Al-Ittihad have lost only once.
- Al-Gharafa have lost their last four matches.
- Al-Ittihad have won their last two home games and have suffered just one defeat in their last eight matches overall.
- Al-Gharafa have lost their last two away matches.
- Al-Gharafa have conceded at least one goal in 13 consecutive matches.
- In 31% of their matches this season, Al-Ittihad have scored in both halves.
- This season, Al-Ittihad have kept a clean sheet in 28% of their matches, while Al-Gharafa have done so in 19%.
- These two teams have never faced each other in head-to-head competition.
Al-Ittihad vs Al-Gharafa: match overview
Al-Ittihad are currently sitting on the edge of the play-off zone in the AFC Champions League. After six rounds, the team have collected nine points and occupy sixth place in the standings. However, the gap to ninth place is just three points. There are still two matches to play, including this one against Al-Gharafa, so the battle is far from over. That said, Al-Ittihad lost Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kanté in the winter, leaving the squad significantly weakened ahead of the second half of the season. On the domestic stage, the team are seventh and suffered a 0–2 defeat in their most recent match.
Al-Gharafa represent Qatar. Domestically, the team are second in the league table and firmly involved in the title race. They have collected 31 points after 15 rounds and trail Al-Sadd by just one point. In the AFC Champions League, Al-Gharafa have picked up six points from six matches and currently sit ninth in the table. A play-off push lies ahead, with the gap to seventh and eighth place standing at just one point. However, the Qatari side are not in good form, having lost their last four matches.
Probable line-ups
- Al-Ittihad: Rajković, Danilo, Al-Julaydan, Mitaj, Al-Shanqeeti, Kadesh, Doumbia, Aouar, Fabinho, En-Nesyri, Diaby
- Al-Gharafa: Sergio Rico, Yousif, Hamed, Nani, Gunnarsson, Díaz, Hamed, Rodrigo, Brahimi, Joselu, Boli
Prediction
Al-Ittihad suffered notable losses this winter, but the team remain the favourites for this match in my view. I suggest a bet on the hosts’ individual total over 2 goals in this game.
