Neom - Al-Ittihad: can anyone end the year with a victory?
Neom SC
In the 12th round of the Saudi Pro League, Neom will face Al-Ittihad. The match will be played on Wednesday, December 31, kicking off at 16:25 CET, and here is a betting option for this fixture.
Neom - Al-Ittihad: Match facts and head-to-head
- Neom have lost only one of their last five matches.
- Neom have scored at least one goal in ten consecutive matches.
- Neom have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last eight games.
- Al-Ittihad have won three matches in a row and lost only one of their last five.
- Al-Ittihad have scored at least one goal in each of their last five matches.
- Only 9% of Neom’s matches this season have ended in a scoreless defeat, compared to 21% for Al-Ittihad.
- Al-Ittihad have scored in both halves in 32% of their matches this season.
- These two teams have never faced each other in a head-to-head match before.
Neom - Al-Ittihad: Match preview
Neom and Al-Ittihad are currently level on points and sit next to each other in the table. Matches like this are often described as a “six-point battle,” as the winner can pull three points clear of a direct rival.
Neom have earned promotion to the top division of Saudi Arabian football and have delivered fairly solid results so far. They won three of their first four league matches, although they have dropped points more frequently since then. In their previous game, Neom defeated Al-Najma 2-1, having drawn 1-1 in the match before that.
Al-Ittihad are the reigning champions of the Saudi Pro League, but they are currently far from their best form. The team recorded back-to-back wins in their last two matches, beating Al-Riyadh 2-0 and 2-1, yet overall consistency has been lacking. Prior to those victories, Al-Ittihad went on a five-match winless run.
Both teams have 17 points after ten rounds. Neom sit seventh, with Al-Ittihad just above them in sixth place. They trail third place by nine points. Both sides still have ambitions of qualifying for international competitions, but first they need to secure a win in this head-to-head encounter.
Probable line-ups
- Neom: Maximiano; Al Asmari, Al Dawsari, Zeze, Abdi; Al Ali, Doucoure, Kone, Benrahma; Abdu, Lacazette
- Al-Ittihad: Rajkovic; Al Shanqiti, Pereira, Kadesh, Mitaj; Fabinho, Kante, Al Ghamdi; Bergwijn, Benzema, Roger
Prediction
This is a highly intriguing clash, with both teams level on points and a win of crucial importance. The suggested bet is that both teams will score in this match.
