Al Ittihad vs Al Najma: Match Preview, Predictions, Team News & Lineups
In an upcoming Saudi Pro League match, Al-Ittihad will face Al-Najma at the King Abdullah Sports City. This encounter is critical for both teams, but they are currently in very different circumstances.
Match Preview: Al Ittihad vs Al Najma
Al-Ittihad holds the sixth position in the league standings, while Al-Najma finds themselves at the bottom. Defending champions Al-Ittihad had high hopes for the season after winning their second league title in three years. However, their performance has been far from their expectations.
As of now, Al-Ittihad has secured only nine victories out of 18 matches, accruing four draws and five losses. They trail the league leaders, Al-Hilal, by 15 points. Although they began the season well with three consecutive wins, a five-match winless streak followed, consisting of two draws and three losses. Recently, coach Sergio Conceicao managed to spark a resurgence with a six-match unbeaten run, including five wins and a draw. Yet, their title defense remains in jeopardy with 12 points separating them from the crucial AFC Champions League qualification spots.
At home, Al-Ittihad’s performance has been inconsistent, recording five wins and four losses. Despite this, they are favored to overcome the struggling Al-Najma.
Al-Najma’s Struggles
Al-Najma has faced a challenging campaign since their promotion last year. They have yet to secure a win this season, having drawn five matches and lost 13. Their difficulties are amplified by a poor offensive record, scoring only 18 goals while conceding 37, the highest in the league. Currently, they sit seven points adrift of safety, making their plight precarious.
Team News and Expected Lineups
For Al-Ittihad, goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic is set to retain his position. The defense will likely consist of Hamed Al-Shanqiti, Danilo Pereira, Hassan Kadesh, and Mario Mitaj. The attacking trio is expected to include Moussa Diaby, Saleh Al-Shehri, and Roger Fernandes.
Al-Najma will be without Mohammed Al-Kunaydiri due to a cruciate ligament injury. However, Nasser Al-Haleel is back from injury and could play a pivotal role. Hisham Al Dubais will likely lead the attack once again.
Projected Starting Lineups
| Al-Ittihad | Al-Najma |
|---|---|
| Rajkovic | Victor Braga |
| Al-Shanqiti | Vitao |
| Pereira | Samir Caetano |
| Kadesh | Al Haleel |
| Mitaj | Al Hawsawi |
| Kante | Flores |
| Fabinho | Jasim |
| Doumbia | Tijanic |
| Diaby | Al Tulayhi |
| Al Shehri | Boutobba |
| Roger | Al Dubais |
Match Predictions
Given the current form of both teams, Al-Ittihad is expected to prevail in this matchup. Despite their own ups and downs, their quality is likely to shine through against an underperforming Al-Najma. A predicted scoreline of 2-0 reflects the anticipated outcome of this clash.
