Al Ittihad vs Al Taawoun
Kick-off: 20:30 AST
Venue: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah
Where to Watch: Live on SPOTV NOW
When Sergio Conceição replaced Laurent Blanc as Al Ittihad head coach on October 7, 2025, the reigning champions were struggling for consistency. Three months later, the Portuguese tactician has steadied the ship and injected fresh belief into the squad.
Al Ittihad enter Saturday’s clash riding a wave of momentum, with four consecutive wins across all competitions. That run includes a King’s Cup quarterfinal triumph over Al Shabab, an AFC Champions League victory against Nasaf, and back-to-back league wins over Al Shabab and Neom.
During this purple patch, the Jeddah giants have scored 10 goals while conceding just two, keeping two clean sheets along the way. Slowly but surely, the champions are climbing back up the table.
Karim Benzema has been pivotal, netting four goals, while Steven Bergwijn has chipped in with two goals and an assist. The duo will once again be the focal point of Al Ittihad’s attacking threat.
Dominance in Possession:
Under Conceição, Al Ittihad have become the league’s benchmark for ball control. They lead the Saudi Pro League in average possession (61.9%), forcing opponents to chase shadows and limiting their attacking opportunities. This approach not only frustrates rivals but also drains them physically and mentally.
It’s not just sterile possession either. Al Ittihad top the charts for successful passes, averaging 476 per match, showcasing their ability to build attacks methodically from the back and maintain structure without resorting to chaos.
When asked about title ambitions, Conceição remained pragmatic:
“We take each match as it comes. Our squad is ready—starters and reserves alike—and we aim to win every game. The real picture will emerge in the final rounds.”
The Challenge Ahead:
Standing in their way is Al Taawoun, the season’s biggest surprise package. Sitting third in the table, just three points behind leaders Al Nassr, they could go top with a win in Jeddah.
Crucially, Al Taawoun hold an eight-point cushion over Al Ittihad, and their away form has been flawless—five wins from five, the only team in the league with a perfect record on the road. They are unbeaten in their last five matches, winning four.
For Al Ittihad, this is more than a test—it’s a statement game. To keep their resurgence alive, they’ll need their very best against a side that has defied expectations all seas
