If you just look at the names on the back of the shirts, you’d think Al Akhdoud vs Al Ittihad is a foregone conclusion every time they step on the grass. You’ve got Al Ittihad, a heavyweight with enough historical silverware to fill a small museum, going up against an Al Akhdoud side that basically fights for its life in the Saudi Pro League (SPL) every single weekend.
But football isn't played on paper.
Honestly, if you've been following the 2024-2025 and early 2026 seasons, you know this specific fixture has become a bit of a trap for the bigger club. It’s one of those games where the tactical gap is supposed to be huge, yet the actual 90 minutes often turn into a gritty, messy struggle.
The Reality of the Al Akhdoud vs Al Ittihad Rivalry
Most fans expect Al Ittihad to just roll over the "smaller" teams. They did exactly that back in August 2025, putting five goals past Al Akhdoud in a dominant 5-2 win. Karim Benzema was in a different world that day, bagging a hat-trick that felt like a training session. Steven Bergwijn was slicing through the wings like they weren't even there.
But then look at March 2025.
Al Ittihad was held to a 1-1 draw at the King Abdullah Sport City. It was a result that left the Jeddah faithful absolutely fuming. How does a team with N'Golo Kanté and Fabinho in the middle of the park fail to break down a defensive block from Najran? That’s the beauty—or the frustration—of this matchup. Al Akhdoud knows they can’t outplay Ittihad in a shootout, so they turn the game into a slog.
Recent Form and H2H Stats
Al Ittihad enters the mid-season of 2026 in terrifyingly good form. They’ve won their last six matches across all competitions. On the flip side, Al Akhdoud is currently staring down the barrel of a six-game winless streak. They haven't even found the back of the net in their last four outings.
The head-to-head record is heavily skewed:
Al Ittihad has won four of the last five meetings.
Al Akhdoud has managed just one draw.
Zero wins for the Najran-based club.
It sounds grim. However, the pressure is entirely on Laurent Blanc's side. When you’re at the top, every point dropped is a crisis. For Al Akhdoud, every point gained is a miracle.
Key Players to Watch
Karim Benzema remains the sun that Al Ittihad’s solar system revolves around. Even in 2026, his movement off the ball is what creates the space for Moussa Diaby to exploit. If Al Akhdoud gives him even a yard in the box, the game is over.
On the other side, keep an eye on Christian Bassogog. He’s often the only spark for Al Akhdoud. If they are going to catch Ittihad on the break, it’s going to come through his pace or a clever ball from Juan Sebastián Pedroza, who was the lone bright spot in that 5-2 drubbing last year.
Tactical Breakdown: The Battle of Najran
When Al Ittihad travels to the Prince Hathloul bin Abdulaziz Sports City Stadium, the environment changes. It’s not the glitz of Jeddah. The pitch feels tighter, the crowd is on top of the players, and Al Akhdoud usually sets up in a rigid 4-3-3 or a 5-4-1 that dares the favorites to try and pass through them.
Al Ittihad usually counters this with a high-possession 4-2-3-1. Fabinho sits deep to prevent the counter-attack, allowing the full-backs to push high. It’s a high-risk, high-reward strategy. In 2024, it nearly cost them when Saleh Al-Abbas scored a late goal for Al Akhdoud, making for a very nervous final few minutes in a 2-1 Ittihad win.
Why This Match Matters Right Now
As we head into the January 26, 2026, fixture at the Alinma Bank Stadium, the stakes are massive for different reasons.
- Al Ittihad is chasing the title, trying to keep pace with Al Hilal and Al Nassr.
- Al Akhdoud is sitting in 17th place, desperately needing to crawl out of the relegation zone.
- Injuries are starting to play a role; Ittihad will be missing Houssem Aouar and Muath Faqeehi, which takes away some of their creative depth.
Expert Insight: What to Expect
Don't expect Al Akhdoud to come out swinging. They’ll likely park the bus and hope for a set-piece or a moment of individual brilliance from Bassogog. Al Ittihad will have 70% of the ball. The question is whether they can find the final pass before frustration sets in.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the first 15 minutes: Al Ittihad has a habit of scoring early in this fixture (Benzema scored in the 4th minute in their last meeting). If Al Akhdoud survives the initial onslaught, their confidence grows exponentially.
- Monitor the midfield battle: With Aouar out, look for how Al Ittihad transitions from defense to attack. If Al Akhdoud’s Petros can disrupt the rhythm of Kanté and Fabinho, the game becomes a toss-up.
- Follow the live data: Keep an eye on "Big Chances Created." In their 1-1 draw, Al Ittihad had the possession but failed to create more than one "big" chance.
To stay ahead of the game, track the official Saudi Pro League injury reports up to an hour before kickoff. Lineup shifts in the back four for Al Akhdoud will be the biggest indicator of whether they plan to play for a draw or take a gamble on the counter.