Neom SC and Al-Ittihad’s New Year’s Eve Showdown for Top-Four Credentials

By Anggun Pratama 18 hours ago

Alexandre Lacazette (Neom) vs Karim Benzema (Al Ittihad)

Neom vs Al Ittihad
Wednesday, December 31 – King Khalid Sports City, Tabuk – 6:25 PM AST
How To Watch: Live Streaming on SPOTV NOW

Current table position
Neom: 7th
Al Ittihad: 6th

Round 11 result
Neom: 2-1 win vs Al Najmah (H)
Al Ittihad: 2-0 win vs Al Shabab (H)

As 2025 draws to a close, the Saudi Pro League offers a fascinating glimpse into its future.

In Tabuk, the league’s newest power, Neom SC, hosts the traditional giants, Al-Ittihad, in a Matchday 12 fixture that is far more than a mid-table skirmish. With both sides locked on 17 points, the winner will likely secure a seat at the table of the league’s elite top four heading into the new year.

The Rise of the Tabuk Project

Neom SC has defied the “promoted team” label, spending the first half of the season proving they belong in the upper echelon. Under the meticulous guidance of Christophe Galtier, the “Lions” have built a squad that blends continental experience with local prestige.

The focal point remains Alexandre Lacazette, whose clinical finishing has already netted him four goals this campaign. Supporting him is the creative spark of Saïd Benrahma. For Neom, a victory tonight wouldn’t just be three points—it would be a statement of intent to the rest of the “Big Four.”

The Ittihad Resurgence

Across the pitch stands an Al-Ittihad side that has rediscovered its teeth under Sergio Conceicao. After a turbulent start to the season that saw Laurent Blanc depart, the “Tigers” have found a new rhythm.

They arrive in Tabuk on the back of a convincing 2-0 win over Al-Shabab, fueled by the evergreen Karim Benzema and the explosive Steven Bergwijn.

Defensively, they look rejuvenated, though they will be tested by a Neom side that has scored in every home game this season. The tactical battle between Conceição’s high-intensity pressing and Galtier’s possession-based system promises to be the evening’s most intriguing subplot.

The sentimental heart of this match lies with Ahmed Hegazi. The Neom captain and former Al-Ittihad defensive pillar faces his old club for the first time in a competitive league match. His task? To shut down a frontline he once led to a league title.

Jorge Martin: From Heaven to Hell

Coming into the season as the reigning World Champion, the Spaniard endured a nightmare year, as injury derailed his debut campaign with Aprilia

MotoGP

How MLB is expanding reach beyond North America as baseball goes global

In recent years, Major League Baseball (MLB) has conducted the MLB World Tour to expand its global reach, taking regular-season games to territories far beyond its traditional North American base. These international series have introduced MLB teams to new audiences, offered historic match-ups at unexpected stadiums and helped build baseball’s presence around the world. At the rate it’s going, don’t be surprised if we see an official MLB game taking place in Southeast Asia, such as the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex in Indonesia or the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in the Philippines someday. Ahead of the 2026 season, which you can watch LIVE on SPOTV NOW, here’s a look at the most significant overseas MLB events.

Mexico Series (1996, 1999, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024)

Monterrey and Mexico City have hosted some of MLB’s most explosive international games. One of the most memorable came in 2023, when the Padres and Giants combined for 11 home runs in a 16-11 San Diego win. The series returns to Mexico City this coming season, with the Diamondbacks taking on the Padres.

London Series (2019, 2023, 2024)

For a city and a country known more for football (not soccer) than baseball, London has hosted some of MLB’s most memorable overseas games. The inaugural 2019 edition delivered a blockbuster rivalry with Yankees vs Red Sox, producing unusually high-scoring contests, including a 17-13 Yankees win. Later series featured Cubs vs Cardinals and Mets vs Phillies, cementing London Stadium as MLB’s flagship European venue.

Tokyo Series (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2019, 2025)

The Tokyo Series has hosted several high-profile matches, establishing Tokyo Dome as MLB’s most consistent international venue for competitive games. Notable moments include Ichiro Suzuki playing in front of home fans in 2012 and Shohei Ohtani’s return to Japan as a Dodger in 2025.

Seoul Series (2024)

The 2024 Seoul Series brought regular-season MLB baseball to South Korea for the first time. The headline match-up at Gocheok Sky Dome was Dodgers vs Padres, notable for Ohtani’s first official game with the blue side of Los Angeles. The first game finished 5-2 in the Dodgers’ favour, while the Padres took the second game 15-11.

Australia Series (2014)

MLB’s first regular-season appearance in the Southern Hemisphere opened the 2014 MLB season with a divisional match-up between the Dodgers and Diamondbacks at Sydney Cricket Ground. In front of 38,266 fans, Clayton Kershaw delivered a strong Opening Day performance, pitching 6.2 innings with seven strikeouts to lead the Dodgers to a 3-1 win. Los Angeles then swept the mini-series with a 7-5 win in Game 2.

China Series (2008)

Although the series consisted only of exhibition games between the Dodgers and Padres at Wukesong Stadium, it was historically significant as MLB’s first on-ground presence in China to help introduce MLB-calibre talent to a new market ahead of the Beijing Olympics.

Taiwan All-Star Series (2011)

The five-game Taiwan All-Star Series featured MLB players such as Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson and Pablo Sandoval against the Chinese Taipei national team, giving fans in Taiwan rare exposure to MLB stars in a single exhibition series.

Cuba Exhibition Series (1999)

Despite not being an official series, this marked the first time an MLB team played in Cuba since 1959 and carried major diplomatic significance. The Baltimore Orioles faced the Cuban national team in Havana’s Estadio Latinoamericano, winning the opener 3–2 in extra innings. A return game in Baltimore later saw Cuba win 12-6.

By Lee Seng Foo

8 hours ago

Cristiano Ronaldo Scores 957th Career Goal but Al Nassr’s Winning Streak Ends

Al Ettifaq stunned the league leaders on Tuesday night, earning a dramatic 2-2 draw against Al Nassr at EGO Stadium in Dammam and ending their flawless start to the 2025/26 Saudi Pro League season.

The protagonist of the evening was Georginio Wijnaldum. The former Liverpool midfielder turned back the clock, scoring twice to snap Al Nassr’s perfect start to the 2025/26 campaign and breathe new life into a title race that was beginning to feel like a procession.

The Ronaldo-Felix Connection

The hosts signaled their intent early. In the 16th minute, Al Ettifaq ignited a clinical counter-attack that carved through the visitors, ending with Wijnaldum slotting home to give the home side a shock lead.

It was a wake-up call for Al Nassr, who struggled to find their rhythm against a disciplined Ettifaq block for the remainder of the first half.

Gini Wijnaldum 🥁🥁🥁🥁#RoshnSaudiLeague pic.twitter.com/ouU7UPqRTu
— Roshn Saudi League (@SPL_EN) December 30, 2025

Whatever Jorge Jesus was said in the Al Nassr dressing room at halftime worked. Within two minutes of the restart, Joao Felix dragged his side level with a precise, low drive into the bottom left corner.

Then came the moment the Dammam crowd had anticipated. In the 67th minute, Felix turned provider as his shot took a decisive deflection off Cristiano Ronaldo. It was the 957th goal of Ronaldo’s storied career, a "predatory finish" that seemed to have secured an 11th consecutive victory for the Riyadh giants.

The Fightback

But Al Ettifaq refused to fold. As the clock ticked toward the 80th minute, Radi Al Otaibi found space on the right flank and pulled back a perfectly weighted cross. Wijnaldum met it with a trademark low strike, rifling the ball home to spark scenes of delirium in the stands.

It was a captain’s performance from the Dutchman, whose energy and leadership ensured the spoils were shared.

While Felix and Ronaldo continue to spearhead the Golden Boot race—sitting level at the top with 13 goals apiece—the result has massive implications for the table:

Al Nassr remain top, but the "invincible" aura has faded.
Al Taawoun sit just three points behind following their 1-0 win over Al Najmah.
Al Hilal could close the gap to a mere two points with a victory over Al Kholood on New Year’s Eve.

Despite the dropped points, Ronaldo remained defiant after the final whistle. "We are on the right path," the captain remarked. "We know exactly what we need to do in 2026."

For the first time this season, however, the chasing pack finally has Al Nassr in their wing mirrors.

By Anggun Pratama

9 hours ago

Arsenal Crush Aston Villa to Go Five Points Clear in Premier League Title Race

Arsenal delivered a resounding statement of intent in the Premier League title race, dismantling fellow contenders Aston Villa 4-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night. The victory moves Mikel Arteta’s side five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table.

For 45 minutes, Unai Emery’s side held firm, frustrating the league leaders in a tense, tactical stalemate. But the second half was a different story entirely—an exhibition of ruthlessness that suggested Mikel Arteta’s men have found a gear their rivals simply cannot match.

20 - Arsenal are just the second team to score 20+ set piece goals (ex. penalties) in consecutive years in the Premier League (21 in 2024, 20 in 2025), after Wimbledon between 1993 and 1996. Perfected. pic.twitter.com/ccshierXvZ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 30, 2025

The Second-Half Surge

Whatever was said in the home dressing room at the interval worked wonders. Within three minutes of the restart, the deadlock was broken via a familiar avenue: the set-piece.

Bukayo Saka’s corner caused chaos in the Villa box, and Gabriel rose above Emi Martínez to power home from close range. The Brazilian bullied his way through to head home from point-blank range, once again proving why Arsenal are the league’s most clinical architects of the dead ball.

The stadium was still celebrating when the lead was doubled. In the 53rd minute, Martin Odegaard—the game's undisputed conductor—threaded a needle-precise pass to Martin Zubimendi. The Spaniard timed his run to perfection, poking the ball past Martinez to send the North London crowd into a frenzy. Two goals in five minutes; the game had been flipped on its axis.

🔴 @Arsenal's dominant victory ends Aston Villa's run of 11 consecutive wins pic.twitter.com/tm7GijPkYb
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 30, 2025

Total Dominance

The onslaught didn't stop there. In the 72nd minute, Leandro Trossard reminded the league of his technical ceiling, arrowing a low, fizzing strike from outside the area that left Martinez rooted to the spot. It was a goal of pure aesthetic precision.

Then came the emotional high point of the night. Gabriel Jesus, making his return from a lengthy injury layoff, entered the fray and scored with his very first touch. Fed by the ever-generous Ødegaard, Jesus opened his body and curled a delightful effort into the far corner. It was a strike that spoke of a player who had never been away, and a squad that is firing on all cylinders.

Aston Villa, who hadn’t conceded four goals in a match since their February collapse at Selhurst Park, finally found a consolation in the dying seconds. Donyell Malen’s effort struck the woodwork, allowing Ollie Watkins to tap home on his birthday—a minor blemish on an otherwise perfect night for the hosts.

THIS ENERGY ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/w7qELAoVNv
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 30, 2025

The Verdict

Gabriel Jesus: "It was amazing. It’s always difficult against Villa; they have brilliant players who know how to hurt us. But we are growing with every game. Today was a victory of mentality."

Mikel Arteta: "The way we started the second half was incredible. We turned up the intensity and became clinical. Against a team like Villa, you have to be meticulous with your timing. We adjusted, the players executed, and they deserve huge credit. Winning like this against this opposition is never easy."

With a five-point cushion and a performance of this caliber, the question is no longer whether Arsenal are contenders—it’s whether anyone can stop them.

By Anggun Pratama

10 hours ago