Al-Shorta vs Al-Ahli prediction, H2H and probable lineups - 22 December 2025
One of the fixtures of Matchday 6 in the AFC Champions League 2025/26 group stage will take place on Monday at the stadium in Baghdad, where local side Al-Shorta host Al-Ahli Jeddah. I'm backing an outcome in this clash that comes with strong odds for success.
Match preview
Al-Shorta are enduring a disastrous campaign in the AFC Champions League, having collected just one point from five matches. The team continues to alternate between inconsistent performances, showing weaknesses in both defense and attack. Even on the domestic front, the Baghdad club can’t seem to find stability—any talk of a playoff push is more theoretical than realistic at this point.
Further compounding Al-Shorta’s problems are personnel shortages: defender Moises Lucas will be unavailable, and a key midfielder is missing in attack. The head coach will have to shake up the starting lineup, but given the pressure and the awkward opponent, it’s unlikely to make a significant difference. Historically, Al-Ahli have always had the upper hand in these encounters.
Al-Ahli, on the other hand, missed the chance to secure a playoff berth in the previous round, losing to Al-Sharjah, but they still hold a commanding position in the group. The team rarely loses this season and is especially formidable away from home: 7 wins in 10 away matches speaks volumes. With plenty to play for, the visitors’ motivation will be sky-high.
Despite absences across every line—from defense to attack—Al-Ahli remain highly competitive. Several key players are missing due to the Africa Cup of Nations, but the squad still boasts plenty of quality. Crucially, the team knows how to play pragmatically: thanks to their structure and individual brilliance, they can get the job done even when not at full strength.
Probable lineups
- Al-Shorta: Basil, Younnes, Amin, Assahabi, Mendy, Qasim, Matrook, Saadoun, Ali, Farhan, Ateba
- Al-Ahli: Alsanbi, Abdulrahman Youssef, Ibañez, Bakor, Dams, Al-Muwallad, Edoa, Fahad Ayidh Al Rashidi, Gonçalves, Al Ghamdi, Touni
Match facts and head-to-head
- The total has gone over 2.5 goals in each of the last four head-to-head meetings.
- Al-Ahli have won four of the last five encounters against Al-Shorta.
- Al-Ahli won their last visit to Al-Shorta's ground 3-0.
Prediction
Given the results, current form, and squad depth, Al-Ahli are clear favorites. This team knows how to get points when it matters, playing organized and composed football on the road. Al-Shorta, meanwhile, inspire little confidence either in their performances or their form, and even home advantage is unlikely to help. I’m predicting a confident win for the visitors—possibly with a clean sheet.
